This list hasn't been touched in almost 2 years. It was on my external knitting site, which doesn't exist anymore. I've checked the links and fixed or removed the ones that don't work.

Even if you can knit only rectangles, you can make:
Sweaters! • Hats, Scarves & Other Warm Weather Wear • Accessories • Kitchen & Bath • Rectangles-plus


Sweaters!! Can you believe it? There are 2 patterns that I know of where you can knit 3 rectangles, and assemble them into what looks like a really cute sweater. Sizes XXsmall to 6X make it even better!! It's a Scarf! It's a Sweater & It's a Scarf! It's a Sweater 2, both from Vermont Fiber Designs.

Scarves, Hats & Other Warm Weather Items

• Scarves. You can have lots of fun with yarn and stitch variations. Some patterns to get started:
  
• Harry Potter Prisoner of Azkaban Scarf, from atypically.knit is knit in the round (but it's not that hard, promise!)
  
• "Organic Cotton Man Scarf" from Not Martha
  
• From Berroco: "Sizzle" Scarf • Zen Plume Scarf
  
• Bouclé Scarf
  
• One-hour scarf (directions in metrics)
  
• Several scarves from HGTV
  
• One-skein wonder (ultra simple blouse scarf)
  
• Super Bulky Scarf
  
• Curly Wrap Scarf
  
• Short, narrow, tasseled scarf
  
• Narrow "teen" scarf
  
• Michaels Scarf w/ pockets (scroll down for knitted scarf)
  
• Michael's Homespun 2 hour scarf (big needles & 2 strands of thread). Note: If you try this and use their yarn recommendation, use bamboo needles. I tried this yarn with metal needles and it SUCKED
  
• Headbands, either to keep ears warm, or to hold back hair:
  • Headband
    
  • Headband #2
    
  • Headband#3 (pdf)
    
  • Vintage Headband
  
  
• Wristlets (long, fingerless "gloves") • Another Wristlet pattern, with needle changes
  
• Poncho from Knitty.com
  
• Baby Poncho (aawww) from sskeinS (here's the one I knit)
  
• Cowl
  
  • (page 167 of Stitch ‘N Bitch) - done on circular needles, but just straight stitching… well, it calls for some weird loopy stitch, but I skipped that.
    
  • Even easier (& free): ChicKnit's free Cowl pattern.
    
  • Also done on circular needles, this "Darth Scarf" is technically a neck gaiter or whimple
  
  
• Shrug - from DIY's "Knitty Gritty," a shrug made from a couple of rectangles.
  
• Baby flat hat (scroll down or search for text "flat hat")

Accessories, Misc.

• The Feline dim sum pattern from Knitty.com is a fabulous toy you can knit for your kitty friends. I have to admit swiping this pattern ages before I learned to knit, and starting with a square of fleece (works great either way).
  
• Wrist bands (knit a rectangle about 3-4" wide and as many inches long to strech over your hand and fit your wrist, sew ends together). Additionallty, here's a link to a pattern w/ pics (not mine).
  
• Furry Hanger - just 7 stitches wide! (PDF)
  
• Pin Cushion
  
• Shoe Laces (no actual knitting -- cast on, then bind off)
  
• Pillows (#7 on this page is a very simple square)
  
• Legwarmers (requires needle change and includes directions for stripes, but it's all straight knitting (k2, p1) and a seam up the back).

Kitchen & Bath

• Back Scrubber. The scrubber part itself is a long rectangle knit from tulle. It's the handles that are more difficult (for me)- crochet.


• Dishcloths/Washcloths. Don't waste your work on a dishcloth! Call it a washcloth, and you have an indulgent gift. Essentially, you use basic cotton yarn (kitchen yarn or peaches & cream), cast on 40-50 stitches, and knit a square. (More dishcloth patterns in the "Rectangles-Plus" section.)

Rectangles-Plus

• Bunny. The ears have to be knit separately, and are not rectangles, which is why this is in the "rectangles-plus" section.
  
• Bumpy City Purse. Purse itself is 2 rectangles, but gives instructions for I-cord strap.
  
• Baby Bib. Very close to just a rectangle, but you bind off 20 stitches, then keep knitting the strap, with a little extra step to make the buttonhole.
  
• Compulsively Crafty's Chunky Ribbed Hat (simple rib, but k2 & p2 for last row)
  
• Marie-Christine Mahe's faboo "Vegan Fox" pattern at Knitty. Mostly rectangles.
  
• "Ridiculously Easy" Mary Jane slippers. On Craftster. 2 rows of decreases.
  
• Seatbelt Snuggles - rectangle plus buttonholes & "bobble" buttons
  
• Washcloth/Dishcloth Patterns:


• "Feels so Good" Dishcloth
  
• Bias Knit Washcloth: cast on 4. Knit all rows, increasing one in each row until you reach desired width (measure one side). Continue knitting, decreasing once per row. For a more decorative look, use a YO increase after the 2d or 4th stitch. When decreasing, k1, k2tog, YO, k2tog, knit to end.