First, thanks for the advice you guys have been giving, it's been quite helpful.

Irought my wood over to Crafty Beaver to rip some 2x4 x 8' out of the clear sections of the wood I bought.

2x4 #1 was a chocolate color, and what looked like a blemish on one side expanded into a knot thinner than a pencil on the other, about 1/2 inch in and 81" from the far end.

2x4 #2 had what looked like the end of a small knot wood in the corner. It looked like it ended there and could be cut out, but actually continued and ran through the 2x4 at 83". Small, but there.

I don't know how big a deal small knots are, but I'm wondering what my options are.

1. Use them anyway. (If so, do I measure from the other side so they're ~12" closer to the loom rather than farther away?
2. Use the clear sections for blades in future laminated paddles.
3. Use Tom Yost's flat-side GP (http://yostwerks.com/GPAP1.html) modification and dodge the knot on 2x4 #1.
4. Find different wood.

I can post pics of the wood if it helps picture it.

TIA