Welcome to the Knitfinder quick gifts pattern roundup, 2011 edition (you'll find the 2009 and 2010 lists here). It isn't too late to knit a little something for a dear friend or relation or two. 

The rules: under 300 yards of yarn (or up to twice that for stranded colorwork, because after all you're only knitting half the yardage); patterns available instantly online so you can cast on immediately. The yardage limit means a project can't take too long, and increases the odds of your finding appropriate yarn in your stash. Some patterns are free; others cost a few dollars.

Today, projects for warm hands, wrists and feet.

Leila Raabe's Lockhart mitts from Brooklyn Tweed Fall 2011: 125-150 yards worsted weight, beautiful twisted-stitch patterning with smocked effect

Misa Erder's Vagabond mitts: Simple, graphic stranded colorwork - 110 yards each of two colors (fingering or sport weight) 

Miriam Felton's Tributary gloves: about 300 yards DK weight yarn. Elbow-length gloves with bold cabling - how luxurious in Tosh DK!

Alana Dakos's Oak Grove mitts: Embossed oak leaves framed by arching cables; 150 yards sport weight 

Rebecca Blair's Maplewood mittens (free): Knit-purl texture pattern with a picot-edged garter-stitch cuff; 200 yards worsted weight 

Karen Everitt's Cozy Cuffed Mitts (free): Simple stockinette mitts with ribbed foldover cuff that unfolds to cover the fingers. Perfect for handspun yarn. 160-180 yards worsted weight. 

Thistle Mittens (free) by Libby Gillard-Somers feature a pretty Scotch thistle motif in twisted stitches and tiny bobbles. Knitted from fingertips to wrist. Ribbed cuff fits under your coat sleeve, flared ruffle fits over it. 219-273 yards sport weight yarn.

Katherine Matthews's Rani or Donna Druchunas's Lithuanian Riesines (both free from Knitty): Gorgeous beaded garter-stitch cuffs, worked sideways. 190-250 yards fingering weight yarn. 

Derya Davenport's Bow Pouch (free): Whimsical but practical bowknot wristlet with a tiny pocket. 71-82 yards fingering weight yarn. Great idea, this - would be lovely in a bit of special silk or wool/silk or sea silk - something with luster.

Catherine Shields's Beatrice Gloves  with bead-and-eyelet chevrons on back of hands. 150-225 yards Shetland fingering weight

And three for the feet:

Kirsikkatie cabled ankle socks (free) in 219-284 yards sport weight yarn 

Amanda Rios's Soxies: old-fashioned garter-stitch and cabled slippers adorned with a button or pom-pom. 150 yards worsted weight 

Churchmouse Classics Turkish Bed Socks: super-simple stockinette socklets, but so pretty in handpainted merino. 175 yards fingering weight.

Coming later this week: headwear, projects for kids, and some miscellany. Part 1 - cowls, scarves and wraps is here.