Stops knitting and leaves moorings (5,3)
I believe the answer is:
casts off
This could be a double definition.
'stops knitting' is the first definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with contact as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'leaves moorings' is the second definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their -s form, I don't understand how they can define each other.
'and' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for casts off that I've seen before include "Begins journey" , "stage's empty?" .)