Emergencies.

There is such thing as a knitting emergency.  When one has 2.5 hours worth of class, and about 20 minutes worth of yarn left, frantic calculations start.  How far away is the nearest craft store?  Joann's is 16 minutes from Blaney Hall; I can get there, pick out a pattern book, find yarn and needles for it, and be back in 45 minutes, right?  As it turns out, yes.  Yes I can.  Now I'm debating the intelligence of fingering weight yarn and size 3.25mm needles for a layette...