Casting Off

 Until recently, I did not know that the phrase "cast off" had so many meanings.

When a sailor says "cast off" he means to release a boat from its moorings and set sail.

It also means to get rid of something unwanted or undesirable - not just old clothes, but also relationships. "She was cast off by her family, who disapproved of her behaviour"

It is a hunting term - to let an animal free to seek its prey [a hawk, or a hound]

And when a printer "casts off" a manuscript, he is estimating how much space will be required for the text.

For me, casting off is first and foremost a knitting term. I enjoy knitting almost as much as sewing. My October contribution to the Postcard Project has been a tiny square of knitting. 

I made it with fine wool on UK 14 [2mm] needles. Then I made some tiny needles using two plastic cocktail sticks with beads on the end.

Now to try and find some inspiration for the November stitching...

UK readers - don't forget to put your clocks back tonight