Here a scarf, there a scarf...

everywhere a scarf scarf.
I am currently working on the Zig-Zag Scarf (from Scarf Style) by Debbie Bliss for my cousin's husband Danny. It is being knit in orange and grey Wool of the Andes. It is mainly grey with stripes of orange that get smaller at they move toward the edge. I really like this scarf, both the pattern and the result. The pattern is lovely and simple. It is mindless enough that I can watch TV while I knit it (I credit the simple 2 row repeat with this) but interesting enough that I actually don't want to stop knitting it! Moreover, I want to knit another! The knitted product is both masculine enough for the men in my life, but also could easily be very feminine with different colors. This is such a rarity that I am truly pleased to have come across this pattern. My Father-in-Law may find his Christmas scarf to be zig-zaggy!
I am also working on Liesel, a distinctly feminine scarf pattern. It is being donated to a charity auction, and I will be loathe to part with it. It is a nice knit, with only a 10 row repeat, which isn't bad at all. I like the way it looks, but I dread blocking it. (I haven't ever blocked lace before, and I worry.) This isn't the kind of thing I can knit in front of the TV, and I know, because I tried. All it ended up being was one big frog session. I need silence and the ability to concentrate on this, but I am running out of quiet knitting time to complete this. The charity event is on November 2! The next lace scarf I knit will be for my Mother (Branching Out) and then I may knit this one again for my Mother-in-Law for variety. Of course, Branching Out may prove to be considerably easier....so it may win out in the end.
I should have photos of both of these scarves soon enough. I hope to finish Danny's scarf tonight or tomorrow. I managed to get it to about 24 inches last night (and knew it was growing because the cat was playing with it while I knit.) The charity scarf will take a bit longer, but it has already increased by 5 lace repeats since you saw it last.
In other knitterly news, I have ordered Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush. It should be at my local Barnes&Noble in 3 days! I can't wait to get my hands on this and plan to make myself some beautiful socks as soon as Christmas is over.