Welcome to the Knitfinder quick gifts pattern roundup, 2011 edition. (You'll find the 2010 and 2009 roundups here.) Projects small enough that you can still whip out one or two for friends or family members who appreciate receiving handknits - you've got a month yet!

The rules: patterns use 300 yards or less of yarn (or up to twice that for stranded knitting, since you really only knit with half of it), so they're quick to knit, and perhaps you'll have yarn in your stash. Also, patterns are all available online so you can get started NOW - and many of them are free.

Today, a dozen or so designs to keep necks and shoulders warm - more posts to come throughout the next week or so.

COWLS & NECKWARMERS

Heidi Kirrmaier's Circumnavigate cowl: longer-length cowl in a pretty, intricate knit-purl texture pattern. 300 yards DK weight yarn.

Kira Dulaney’s Svelte cowl: Closer-fitting cable-and-garter-stitch cowl in angora blend (210 yards fingering weight)

Hiroko Fukatsu's Cupido cowl (free): airy slip-stitch texture pattern in a lofty yarn: 180 yards Aran weight mohair-wool (like Rowan Kid Classic)

Laura Jansen’s Tea Latte cowl: 120 yards super bulky (Patons wool roving is called for) – buttoned cowl in herringbone texture stitch

Lisa Mutch’s Heartache: Buttoned garter-stitch neckwarmer in edgy short-row wedge stripes – two colors with a third for accent. 260 yards worsted weight

Laura Chau's Turbulence: Garter stitch cowl in waving short-row stripes. 2 colors, 210 yds total (worstedweight)

Melinda VerMeer's Hannoki cowl: Japanese lace pattern in chunky/bulky yarn (150-165 yards)

SCARVES & SHAWLETTES

Kirsten Johnstone's Hakusa:  minimal, elegant wisp of a scarf in two different Habu yarns held together; asymmetrical triangle shape in two sizes.

Nancy Marchant's Rodekool scarf (free at Knitty): two-color brioche stitch keyhole scarf; 195 yards color-change fingering weight yarn (pattern calls for Crystal Palace Mini Mochi) 

Grace McEwen's Twisted Vine Neckwarmer:  embossed keyhole scarflet in 150 yards worsted or DK weight. A poor pattern photo on Ravelry does not do this design justice. I knitted this one in Great Northern Yarns mink/cashmere DK and it was a big hit as a gift. 

A trio of larger shoulder wraps:

Bea Schmidt's Maluka shawl (free)  is a stockinette crescent with pretty cable and lace edging - under 300 yards fingering weight yarn. 

Tracy Withanee's Garden View shawlette: Stockinette shawlette with garter leaf edging, knitted sideways. 200-300 yards Aran weight yarn 

Gabriela's Vaire shawlette: Shawlette or scarf in 300 yards worsted weight yarn - garter and stockinette stitch with bold lace edge. This version was knitted in one skein of Malabrigo worsted.

Stay tuned through the coming week for more. Next up: headwear, I think.