How about stuffed animals? Even if you don't have kids in your life, you could donate them to a kid focused charity. Ravalry has a pattern filter by yarn weight if you haven't checked that out.

I've got a couple of tops now knitted from sock yarn. I have pretty sensitive skin especially around my collarbone and neck and can't wear most types of wool there, so the merino / nylon combo is great as it's so soft and non-itchy. Bonus is that the thin yarn makes for a lovely drapey fabric, although of course it does take a lot more time than knitting with something bulkier. Fave one that I wear all the time is my Kala from Pip & Pin, will dig up some photos later after work!

Nearly every wearable I make uses fingering weight yarn. I'm full-figured, so I have found that chunkier patterns (anything over aran weight) becomes unflattering due to drape.

I have made one long-sleeve cardigan, one t-shirt, one sweater vest, one shawl, and one scarf out of fingering weight yarns. =) I see the possibilities as endless for non-sock items! But also, note my username lol