For a long time, I have been seeing, storing and moving around a bag of wool and needles. 

This bag contains hours of fun - if you are that kind of person. And hours of torture if you are not. 

Actually, I am not sure anyone finds crafts fun. They may have been diverting, in the days before electricity but not so much today. 

I tried knitting, for old times' sake. I created one family heir loom and several inferior pieces. I splashed out on wools and needles and knitting books. But when I took the time to think about the black bag, pictured above, I realised that I had come to the end of line with knitting. 

However, I had a little bit of unfinished business - that is, a teddy bear I began for the birth of my niece, who is now three. I could have done away with the bag without finishing it - perfectly legit, from a decluttering perspective. But I decided to complete the teddy. Over last few weeks, I finished the knitting.

Now, the title of this blog post is not a proper euphemism for finishing stuff. As anyone who has knitted anything (other than a scarf) knows, casting off is not the final step in the process. You are not finished until you take out the jaysus sewing box and assemble the item.

Here is the finished product, soon to go to its new owner. Another present off the list.

Stay tuned for Part II, where the knitting equipment is offered for sale online.