Knitting

I'm curious - what are some of peoples'  favorite patterns? I have some folks in my circle who just started knitting, or who just got back into knitting, or are curious about knitting.

So here's some musings I have, if folks are up for it amidst holiday knitting and general revelry/chaos:

• What are you knitting right now? (Unless it's super sekkrit)
• What's a pattern you've knit before and have knit/want to knit again?
• What are some good patterns for beginners?
• What's a knitting skill (cables, bobbles, lace, reading charts, entrelac) that you're interested in learning (perhaps because the patterns are sooo pretty/interesting/whatever), and you want to learn? Perhaps other folks can offer good suggestions on how to learn that skill...

(P.S. I hope the mod is okay with this.)