Cowls, Gift Knitting and Beating the Holiday Rush

I have completed a couple of cowls using Reynolds Rapture. I see it on sale here and there because it is being discontinued. It is cozy yarn and not itchy and shows lace knitting well. Casting on about 88-90 stitches on 8's makes a 22 inch neck of silky wool goodness. Mano's silk blend has great colors and is soft and nice. Finer than Rapture, good for Thermis cowl. Malabrigo cowls feel good. For holiday gift giving I will stick to tried and true yarns that don't itch at all.  I check Ravelry several times a day to see what is new and I read Knitters Review for fiber guidance. Seriously, how did we knit before the internet?