Congrats on teaching yourself! I learned to knit when I was 13 from my aunt. She had us(me and my cousin) start with mittens. You learn ribbing, increasing, decreasing and putting things on a holder to work with something else, then go back to stitches on the holder. We did two-needle mittens which also require sewing up a seam. Later I did mittens on double pointed needles. Was your scarf in garter stitch(knit every row)? With the mittens you would also have to do the purl stitch. Good practice and because they are small you get a finished project quickly. One thing you want to do is check your gauge before you begin(sometimes mitten patterns don't have gauge). I have never checked my gauge(lazy). Sometimes not a problem, but mostly it is a problem not to check. Sweaters, hats, anything with a fit issue could come out wrong if done in the wrong gauge. I'm doing a project now where I checked the gauge, I thought, only to find after doing the back of a sweater, I was off still. So, I pulled out and started over with different needles. We'll see how it comes out. I'm taking a knitting class next month where hopefully she can teach me how to do the gauge check properly among other things. I need to learn how to crochet. I can only do a chain. Hope you enjoy knitting. Sally

In the new Schoolhouse Press BSJ pattern, I understand a child's size is included. I have made toddler sized BSJs before the new pattern was available. The most recent was a size 3 with suggestions from a site someone here suggested. I used larger needles and Red Heart Super Saver worsted for the larger size worsted yarn. At every place in the pattern where I could increase size, I did. I added length to the back flap, but I also took out the diaper ease row of 10 new stitches across the back as the intended wearer is slender and out of diapers. I added sleeve length and width to the fronts too. Hope this helps.

Thanks for your suggestions. I guess that I should have realized that basically it was an increasing stitch and all I had to do was make it come out looking Ok. I am just picking up the crossed loop and knitting it. It seems to be working out Ok. This is one of those patterns where you have to almost count every stitch and knit carefully or (and that means ripping back right?) I am enjoying reading everyones comments about all questions. This is an terrific site.

Thanks so much for the wealth of info. What stunning work you do really fantastic.