How not to ask a halachic question

I think it was last year before the 9 days, but maybe it was two years ago, I asked my Rav about knitting during the 9 days. Instead of asking is it permitted to knit during the 9 days, I said "I have this book that says I can't knit during the 9 days...is that true?" Well, of course he would say yes. Thank you stupid book...now all I can do is sort out my yarn and pick projects to work on.

I guess this could be a good thing, because I do need to pick some projects now that I've been buying yarn.

The talmudist in me wants to twist around the sentence though...it says you can't knit clothing...what if I knit a stuffed animal, or something not clothing? Any thoughts? The other thought was that knitting for charity should be okay....

Sigh....oh to be Sefardi....