I posted a question to all my favorite Facebook knitting groups. Hoped for inspiration on uses for my unloved 14 inch long straight knitting needles. Sharing with you the amazing answers. I didn't include names of people who provided the answers out of respect for their privacy, especially as the answers come from multiple groups. Know that your answers were fantastic and incredibly helpful! Thank you so much to everyone that responded!
Check back often as I’ll be adding even more possibilities as the answers keep rolling in!
(1) Use with the Lever Knitting Technique. Also called Irish Cottage Knitting, Speed Knitting, Pit Knitting and Underarm Knitting. This is where the needle goes under your arm in your armpit. It helps decrease pain in the wrists & elbows and allows for longer knitting sessions. Various, useful links on it. https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/knit-faster-with-lever-knitting-2115451/ -OR- https://youtu.be/wdIbvBz01yI -OR- https://youtu.be/FNlt_-F-3ZA -OR- (FYI if you want information on how to do it with circulars, instead. https://youtu.be/FdHCqMBrIfU)
(2) Use in Double Knitting - https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/create-double-layer-with-double-knitting-2115775/
(3) Create the famous Knitting Needle Bag pattern - https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/knitting-needle-knitting-bag/
(4) Use as handles, instead of a dowel, when making a purse or knit bag. Or use as part of the bottom structure of the bag. (#1 is an example but there are so many more options when it comes to this idea!)
(5) Wall Art Hanger - Maybe make a mini quilt and use the long needles as hanging rods in your sewing room? For that matter, some sort of freestyle knit wall art. Use as a dowel for macrame and tapestry stuff.
(6) Knit a pretty lace pattern. Then keep it on the needle and hang it with the lace piece on the needle.
(7) Make a yarn wreath. Then add the needles to it. https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/home-and-family/how-to/diy-yarn-wreath - Or - https://www.simplicity.com/simplicity-storefront-catalog/projects/knitting-planner/yarn-ball-wreath/
(8) Organizer for various things - Fit them into timber end brackets and you have a ladder or rack (depending on which way you turn it) to keep your loose circ cords over, or hang scarves, jewelry, hand towels, hook-handled kitchen utensils, men’s ties, socks to dry in the laundry.
(9) Curtain rods or, another way to be a wall hanger - Perhaps find something lightweight and decorative for a middle feature. Drill holes into the sides of it to fit the pointy ends in. Slide curtain netting onto each needle (they’ve already got knobs/stoppers on the other end), then stick pointy ends into decorative middle (like a joiner on 2 circ cords). Hang your masterpiece.
(10) Put in a crystal vase for decoration. This idea was suggested multiple times by people who had done it! Sounds beautiful!
(11) Use to make these various items: baby blankets, shawls, flat cowls, sweaters, vests, toss pillows, towels, pillow covers, afghans. Knit a pieced sweater that is knit flat and then sewn together. Or knit large panels for blankets and then join the panels.
(12) Use them as extra holders for live stitches. Especially when I need a regular set of needles for a project. Then put the old, in progress project, on the long needles.
(13) Use the long knitting needles to prevent against dropped stitches. The needles are extra-long at 14 inches, allowing you to hold enough stitches comfortably while knitting blankets. These will be a very valued pair of knitting needles in your kit! You will be able to make a wide range of medium-weight blankets using worsted or a light worsted yarn and these size 7/4.5mm needles. If you’re a beginner, you can rest assured knowing 7 is a classic needle size that you will be glad to have around for years. It’s also perfect for standard scarves, slippers, hats, and even tighter sweaters.
(14) Helpful for when frogging, or to see your stitches more clearly - Use a long pair of straight US 2 or 3 needles. I found them useful for getting things back in order when I have had to frog back several rows, or if my needles fall out or something like that. You can see if you have the stitches mounted correctly, and more easily distinguish knits and purls when they're being held rigid instead of on a cord. Since mine are small in diameter, it makes it easier to get them into the loops, too.
(15) Use for casting on. Examples: Jerseys and blankets. For many, doing the cast on with the long straight needles, THEN knitting them onto their circulars, was found to be very useful.
(16) Use the super long needles for multiples of the projects at once. Like 3 dishcloths, or I'll do 3-4 scrubbies on them, stuff like that. I have done a few really wide scarves that don't really work out on my 10 inch knitting needles. (I had asked her if she had any online links to point me to on how to do this, which is why she said this in her response....) I don't have any resources I just kind of do it. I cast on the amount I need for the pattern for however many. Like if I need red, blue and gray, I'll cast on the amount in red drop it, then do another cast on in blue, drop it and cast on for gray. Then I just work the pattern dropping the color at the end of the row so they don't become one big project.
(17) Donate to elderly home. (Include yarn with the donation, if possible.)
(18) Self protection. No joke. Someone said they actually did this for years when they were younger.
(19) Other possibilities - Plant supports, garden markers, or a back scratcher.
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