Today I finished knitting a scarf.

It took around five months, and today I cast off the final stitch, and snipped off the last yarn end, while listening to thank u, next on repeat.

I've wanted to learn knitting for ages. I tried a few years ago and gave up: I lacked the patience or discipline or focus.

I'd never really tried again. Then Alanna Okun -- who is also a brilliant editor -- wrote this piece for NYT Smarter Living about how to start knitting. And something struck: I could start it....