Something knitterly, for a change:

here is a brief recipe for a striped scarf made of Kool Wool. (Because you know you've seen it for sale and wondered what it was like...).

For a short scarf, buy two balls each of two contrasting colors. For a long scarf, buy three balls each of two contrasting colors. Each skein will make about 3 1/2 of the stripes or blocks as I have the pattern written.

I used Tomato Red and Grass Green. Kind of funky, but it works for Christmas. And it does look somewhat Gap-y.

Using 10 1/2 (US size) needles, cast on 27 stitches. (be careful - this is a cabley yarn and tends to untwist as you cast on, especially if you use the "slingshot" method like I do).

Row 1: *k3, p3* to last 3 sts, end k3
Row 2: *p3, k3* to last 3 sts, end p3.

Gauge is not crucial, but I got about 3 stitches and 4 rows to the inch.

Knit until your "stripe" is just over 3 1/2 inches to 4 inches (for me, this was about 16 rows). Cut off, leaving a tail to weave in (or to let hang loose if you're into the Knitters Winter 2002 look) and join in the next yarn. Continue in pattern for another 3 1/2 to 4 inches, then change yarns again. (I always changed on a row 2). Keep knitting stripes until the scarf is long enough or until you get sick of it.
I started with a red block and will end with a red block.

The scarf as knitted will be fairly narrow (the 3x3 rib contracts) but if you like you can block it and make it much wider. I am going to leave mine "contracted" because I like the way it looks.

as always, you can use more colors, or fewer colors, or whatever.

I am still sick darn it.