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Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!    What a lucky family you have!
Thanks for posting such fantastic eye candy!
Melanie  (known to the cat as "Rowr" or "Rowr Rowr") =^.^=

Awwww, I agree...I think we'd have a fantastic time working together!    I can tell from your pose that you're just as nutty as we are here.  (That's a compliment!)
Wow, you're right...what a great idea, to learn from production knitters - you're a genius!  You're right...they would do everything ergonomically, and of course, it would all be very quick, yet with even stitching.
Isn't it wonderful to have things like the Internet to find out this kind of info?  The isolation of years ago no longer exists. 
I do the same thing...rewrite other people's patterns to make them the way I see them in my mind's eye.  I think you'll be a super designer, when you finally get to it!    And stitch dictionaries are a wonderful way to put project ideas with the textures/looks you want! 
Melanie  (known to the cat as "Rowr" or "Rowr Rowr") =^.^=

When I decided to teach myself knitting (for the second time after I tried and gave up in favor of crochet over 30 years ago) I decided that this time, with the help of the Internet, I would research it well and learn to knit in a way that was smooth, relatively quick and ergonomic.  I decided that the best people to learn general technique from would be production knitters.  After all, you can't make any money knitting if you are too slow or do poor work and you can't do it for any length of time if you hurt your hands.  This is how I came up with lever knitting and Portuguese knitting.  I knit in these two styles now.  I tried continental but purling was a problem.  I know I could have overcome the purling issue with practice but I once I discovered how freakin' easy it is to purl Portuguese style, I lost all incentive.

I'm toying with the idea of designing since I often can't find patterns for an item I want to make or in a style that I like.  I already mess around with changing patterns to suite my needs.  To that end I've purchased a number of books that teach you how to create.  I've also purchased several stitch dictionaries.  So creation is on the horizon, but I want to make a few things with patterns already written for a while so that I get a good understanding of structure and techniques.

It seems like you and I would have a good time sitting and knitting together.  With our mutual love of learning, I'll bet we would have a good time teaching and learning from each other! 

Awww...well, I love to see things people make...so many beautiful things! 
I know exactly what you mean!  For instance, you learned about tension from crocheting fine lace.  That definitely translates well to knitting.  IMO, it's easier to learn knitting if you've already been crocheting (and vice versa). 
I'll have to look for Lever or Irish Cottage knitting...I'm a technique junkie!    Same with Portuguese knitting...thank you so much for the heads-up! 
I know what you mean...this is why I'm a technique junkie...even if I never use a technique for anything, it's so nice to learn...and you really never know when you're going to end up needing a technique.    I learned the Magic Loop at one point and thought I wouldn't need it...guess what...I needed it! 
Nice to find someone else with a similar thirst for learning! 
Melanie  (known to the cat as "Rowr" or "Rowr Rowr") =^.^=

Thanks!  You're the best cheerleader, EVER!
I think the reason I'm able to do a decent job so early on is because I was already quite adept at crocheting fine lace.  I know they're two different things, but in some ways the skills transfer, if you know what I mean.
Also, I picked a method that really helps produce even stitches.  Lever or Irish Cottage knitting.  I just taught myself Portuguese knitting last night and now, working on the back rows (all purls) of the lace shawl I'm making for my mother is a breeze!  The great thing about the Portuguese style, if you aren't familiar, is that purling is easier than knitting.  
I love learning new things, especially when they are soooo helpful.

For a beginner who has "only been knitting for about 4 weeks," well, I believe you...but damn, you're great!  I couldn't have made anything that nice after only four weeks.  My first projects were horribly awkward.  LOL, nothing that could have been worn by an actual person!  Sheesh, even a doll would have been ashamed.
Your work is so good, like you've been knitting for years!
Melanie  (known to the cat as "Rowr" or "Rowr Rowr") =^.^=

I finished these last night.  They are the Dustland fingerless gloves, pattern by Stephen West.
My first completed project was the Dustland Hat I made a few weeks ago.  I've only been knitting for about 4 weeks.  So I made two Dustland hats (to match the gloves) and gave them to my sons.
I completed my first Dustland gloves about a week ago and gave them to one of my sons and finished these last night.  I took the picture before I went to bed to send it to my other son to let him know I was finished with his gloves.  That's why I'm doing the goofy pose.
Aw hell, I would probably do a goofy pose anyway, who am I kidding?