Thanks, Colleen. Yes, I've spent hours asking questions to the point that I'm embarrassed to show my face in the shop again, lol! I wonder if part of the problem isn't that he fixes my error but doesn't explain what he's doing. I also wonder if I shouldn't have started with an easier project. This one has a lot of mesh rows and that's usually, but not always, where I mess up.

I signed up for Raverly yesterday and not sure where to start with that. Nothing jumped out at me as particularly helpful but I probably just don't know where to go.

This is a group that might suit you. You can always look without joining unless you want to post and ask questions.
Beginners Knit Along group

You could also customise the search to find a group based near you, which might lead to meeting up with someone who can help you
Ravelry Group Search Page

I know what you mean about fixing but not explaining. Maybe it's a guy thing, because my DH does that with computers. Drives me crazy.

Not sure what you mean by "mesh rows", unless you mean lace work, but when I'm doing something that goes wrong, I look at how far back I need to go to get to a part that's right.

If it's only a row or two, I tink (which is "knit" backwards), which is tedious but safe, as it means you turn the work around and using the tip of the right needle you pick up the slipped loop from the previous row that's under the first stitch on the left needle, and carefully ease that first stitch off the left needle and pull the working yarn out of it (so if you turned your work back around the right way, it would be like you hadn't knitted that last stitch you did). Keep doing this until you get back to where the knitting is right, then turn your work and start knitting forwards again.

If it's several rows, pull the needles out of the work and frog (rippit! rippit!) up to the last row before the good part. Carefully pick up the loops with one of the needles starting from the end that doesn't have the working tail of yarn at it. Now tink that last row to ensure you haven't dropped any stitches, then turn your work and go on.

Of course, you could look at just doing some plain knitting until you are confident enough to move on to something more ambitious. You don't have to make a "thing". When I want to practice a new technique, I knit a square in that technique. All the squares are the same size, about 6" x 6". One day I will have enough squares to join together in a blanket, so they aren't really wasted :-)

Thanks, again, Colleen! Very nice of you to take the time to address all my anxieties. ;)

<<Not sure what you mean by "mesh rows", unless you mean lace work,

Yes, maybe "lace" is the correct term. The directions refer to "mesh".

Tinking~~Oh, I'm VERY familiar with tinking, lol!

<<Now tink that last row to ensure you haven't dropped any stitches, then turn your work and go on.

Ooooh, that's a good piece of advice I hadn't heard before; I'll be sure to do that.

I do wonder if I haven't missed some basics, including tips and pointers, to make things go smoother. I wonder, too, if I should spend less time on it. It is so addictive that I would tend to spend hours on it and maybe that's when my mistakes would occur. Perhaps, for now anyway, I should take it in smaller bites.

I'm off to check out the links!

Whatsayyou, if you already sew and quilt, you have the concept of how things come together. I would suggest that you put aside your fancy scarf and knit something easy. Cast on 25 - 30 stitches (depending on the weight of your yarn) for the width of the scarf. Knit each row for as long as you want the scarf. Add fringe at each end if you wish. (I cut three 9" lengths of yarn and then using a crochet hook, pull it through a space at the end of the scarf, starting in the corner, and then pull the ends through.) I totally messed up my first sweater in class because I didn't understand. Wish I had started with a simple scarf. But that was over 50 years ago, and I still knit for friends and family. This year, I've been making mittens. Give a simple scarf a try!

I agree with sherwoodva to start with a simpler project....simple rows of knit or purl or combination of the two. Even for experienced knitters can be confused with lace patterns....certainly not a good idea for the beginning knitter.

Did you go to a "class" or did you go to a knitting group? I'm in a couple of knitting groups where experienced knitters get together and we "stitch and b*tch". We try to help someone if they have an issue, but it is not a "class" where someone teaches how to.

I agree that the project you chose may not be the best. I find that lace work is more difficult than straight knitting or even things like cables. I also find it's much easier if the yarn matches the needle size so as to make the work more 'solid' so you can easily see your stitches.

As you like to quilt, I would suggest you put that project aside and get yourself some worsted yarn from Jo-Ann's or wherever in a two or more different colors that you like and get size 10 needles (6 mm) and make 9" squares. With each square, practice a different knit pattern...one may be garter, one may be stockinette, one may be seed stitch, one may be cables, etc. If you make a dozen squares, you can then sew them together, 3x4, alternating colors, and make a baby quilt. If you don't have anyone who needs one, you can donate it to Project Linus. Or if you find it's going well you can keep going and make a larger afghan. This way you'll get some good practice in, no single square will be too daunting. If you screw up one square or you're not getting the pattern, you haven't lost a lot. And making quilts is already in your wheelhouse.

However, if it helps, my Mom was a wonderful seamstress (she made everything from bras to wedding gowns) and flower arranger and enjoyed other crafts, but when it came to knitting and crocheting...it wasn't for her.

How are you going? I hope you didn’t quit.

Another wanna be knitter here, too...

So far, I just read a lot :) I have fond memories of my mom knitting while watching tv..I can hear the clickety clack of the needles, still...

I have tried, but I feel slow and clumsy and rather stupid. And going to my local craft story is nothing short of overwhelming!

Annie, I love your idea (and that blanket is so very beautiful...) and I'll go off to get exactly what you suggest and have another try...

You always feel slow and clumsy at the beginning :-). It’s like most things, gets better the more you practice.

Yes it is a little clumsy at first to get your fingers and actions going smoothly but that comes with practice and muscle memory. But stick with it and it will come.