Need someone to commiserate with

I’ve been knitting for years and years, and I always fall into the trap of knitting things for people that I never see again because they’re never once worn or appreciated (including multiple sweaters for my ex-fiance of 8 years that just never left the closet even though he asked for them!)

For the last few months, I had reconnected with an old friend and things had turned romantic in nature. It was entirely long distance, but there was a real emotional connection and intimacy there. He had expressed sympathy for me that my knits never get worn, and said he would never do that and would cherish anything I made him. I decided to go out on a limb and knit him a toque made of qiviut - for context he lives in the very far north, and I thought it would have a lot of sentimental meaning not only to make it out of something produced by an indigenous group but also to have a fibre that is so warm, which is much needed up there! I thought it was perfectly suited to him and a thoughtful gift, particular as a late Christmas present.

We finally met up in person when he came back to my home province to visit friends and family, and had a romantic weekend spend together. I gifted him the toque and he said over and over how special it was, and even wore it the rest of the weekend when we went out. However, shortly after he left, he abruptly ended things with me over text and blindsided me a little bit, saying he didn’t feel a connection in person.

Now I feel very stupid to have poured such love and care into an item such as a colourwork toque for someone who is not going to be in my life anymore, especially when it’s made out of a fibre as valuable as qiviut. I hate the thought of him not wearing it and it going to waste because it’s associated with me, but also equally hate the thought of him wearing it when he clearly was not the person that deserved something like that from me. Anyone else ever experienced something similar to this? Is this why I should just never knit for others, even though they seem knitworthy?