Give up my cornrow dreams?

I grew my hair out a long time ago but never got cornrows and it’s on my bucket list. Haven’t cut my hair outside of a fade and edge up since late October, but my thinning corners make me feel like even a front taper won’t save me once I get my hair long enough for cornrows. Should I go back to waves or at least see what it will look like? I think as my hair gets longer the thinning will look worse and worse.