I love giving knitted gifts to my friends who are expecting. I very recently gave a pair of knitted socks to Katie who is expecting. It was a simple Two-Needle sock pattern by Debbie Bliss knitted as one piece and sewn down the back. I can't remember which of her books it is from since I photocopied it years ago from one of her books loaned from the library. The yarn is by Tess Designer Yarns which I purchased at a Stitches West conference a few years ago. It is a superwash merino that is soft and has a nice elasticity to it. Since the pattern is for a 6 month-old baby, it knits up fast. I think it can be done in a day if you knit quickly.
Now that this project is done, it makes me want to knit more regularly!
-Lana