A new project and other

I was given a request from my granddaughter to make a hat for her teddy bear.I had never made a tam before so I made the smallest one in the red and blue sock yarn. It's about three quarters done now and it'll only be a little big.
Observation/revelation:
I was working on it at work last night and my coworker (who does know how to knit a little) asked what it was, I told her and she said 'What a waste of time. Making a hat for a bear?'
I was a bit offended at that remark.
No knitting is a waste of time. Even if you do a swatch in a new stitch pattern, you have learned a new pattern and have something to show for it. I have never made a tam before, and now I know the secret to making them flat on the top as well as making a floppy, 'rasta' type hat. I know the way different decreases will affect a striped yarn on a hat and when I make a pom pom for it, I'll have added that knowledge to my skill base.
So, no knitting is a waste of time. Even when you make mistakes, you have learned from them and that's always good. Frustrating, but what learning process isn't frustrating at some point?
By the way, I retaliated that I had never made that type of hat before and it's good to make something small first before tackling a larger project so you get the hang of it.
Socks in a lace pattern are a good practice for doing a large scarf or shawl.

I have tomorrow off completely and most likely it's going to rain. I plan on trying to visit a few yarn shops with a very tight budget as in I shouldn't buy anything at all. Using the gas alone is going to be a strain, but I need to do something for myself without anyone or anything giving me restraints on time.

So, right now I'm going to go make pancakes from scratch. Something I've never done before.