Thanks to everyone for the advice so far!!  I went through some of the other threads to see what others were saying about their own machines/ issues with their machines. 

As far as asking friends, the only friend that sews is at a level WAAAAAY above mine -- she made her own wedding gown (and I mean like the huge cinderella type), bridal party dresses, flower girl, the tux for the groom, etc.     I know she has 3 machines -- think 2 are the big Viking ones and one is an antique but I don't know the brand.  :-) 

I like the advice about checking sewing shops.  I'm going to see if there are any near here other than the JoAnn (I'm in Buffalo, NY, and so far the closest I've heard of is about 35 minutes away).   

Looking to get my 1st machine...basic clothing construction, working on costumes, maybe some quilting.

Went to JoAnn's and the lady showed me the Singers, but said that they're constantly coming in for repairs.  She then showed me some basic Vikings which she said didn't need to be oiled and were much better quality than the Singers.  She didn't really address my question about the Brothers.

This is one of the Brothers I was looking at:

http://www.target.com/Brother-Sewing-Machine-XL3750/dp/B000VGAMU6/sr=1-2/qid=1208285127/ref=sr_1_2/602-0534912-7026266?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Abrother%20sewing&page=1

This is the Viking I was looking at.  It's on sale for $299+tax through the end of the month

http://www.husqvarnaviking.com/us/6119_6139.htm

(it's the Emerald 116 if it doesn't come out right)

I don't like spending a lot of money, but at the same time I want something that won't break down constantly and sews smoothly.  My limit right now is about $300, since I might be having surgery.

any advice would be helpful, since you guys are the experts!!!! 

TIA

What the heck is blocking!?!?! 

I've been off for a while.  Still newbie, but did a pair of legwarmers, a small baby blanket, a throw, and what was supposed to be a regular blanket for DD6.

First time with circs, and it, ummm...well it came out about 10 feet long and 2 feet wide.  (the 10 ft part was in the circs)  *laugh*

Anyways, back to the question.  What is blocking?  How do you do it?  Do you have to do it for blankets and scarves or is it only needed at certain points?  TIA

Thanks everyone!  I might try that magic loop thing -- dpns look really tricky

Hi again!  I've looked around and seen some simple patterns for leg warmers.  However, still beeing a  newbie, how do you use dpns?  How do you get them round?  Or do you knit a "sheet" then sew them into a circle with a seam?  Trying to make a set for my daughter.

The sheet idea seems simpler, but I want to make sure they don't fall apart on her in dance class   

I'm not sure of the item you're talking about..........but I do both.......knit and crochet............ In my opinion..........it won't make much difference which you learn first............yo u will inevitably find yourself having to "learn" all over again when approaching the second craft you attempt...........t hough I must admit..........croc het lends itself to repairs quite an bit easier if you make a mistake..........

The key is to HAVE PATIENCE!....

Basically, you take a soft cloth for the blanket and then it's edged in a lace pattern, some simple, some with multiple colors/patterns.  The burp cloths use the old diaper cloth and do the same.  Because in Spanish we use the word for lace for this, I thought it was lace-making, but apparently its crochet.

Here's a link to a pic for the "lace" http://www.carolahles.com/books_products/images/lace_blanket_edge.GIF

here's one that says crochet
http://www.thriftyfun.com/images/articles27/fleece_crochet300x219.jpg

EDIT:  Duh!!!  i'm so stupid...that thrifty fun one has INSTRUCTIONS!!!!!!  Now, to learn the crochet!

BTW, I'll have nothing but time.  due to medical issues I may end up being forced to stay home.

Hi!  New knitter, and the ultimate goal is to make those old fashioned baby blankets with the lacy trim/burp rags. 

Now originally I thought this was knitted, but according to google (and google is never wrong     ) this is actually crochet.  I always thought it was knitted or tatted

1.  Is this correct?

2.  How hard is it for a new knitter to learn crochet?

3.  Any patterns/how to's for this?

TIA

Knitting resolutions:

1.  Learn to knit well enough for a blanket.
2.  Learn to knit well enough for a shawl.
3.  Teach my daughter, age 6, who already has helped with the first scarf I made   
4.  Improve my technique enough to then move on to tatting and lace-making to make lace-edged baby blankets and baby rags, a tradition in Puerto Rico that has become a lost art. 
5.  Successfully learn to read patterns and follow a KAL.

They scrunch up on the needle.  I've done a DK blanket on straights (finished width was about 5' but I can't remember the stitch count precisely; probably something in the region of 300).  You need point protectors or you'll drop stitches every time you put it down, but it's not a problem to actually work unless you get a sneezing fit. 
K.

well, I have epilepsy...    (hey, got to laugh at myself or I'd go nuts)

Thank you all for the advice.  I was planning on getting some circulars but to be honest, I thought they were for, well, round things        Didn't think I could use them for straight stuff. 

Sorry for the beginner q's.  That scarf, etc?  Made with exactly 3 minutes of teaching (the girl showing me had to go, and I left for vacation).  We got through cast on, knit, and cast off (though I'm still doing it wrong) and purl.  *laugh*

Oh, well.  Practice makes perfect!!!  Next up, how to do those slip/yo stitches.

Hi!  So I successfully made a scarf, and unsuccesfully made a blanket that turned into a wrap for my DD's stuffed kitty.....

However, I'm trying to do a blanked (hence the previous attempt).  This one says "cast on 252 sts".  I know that means 252 stitches, but where in God's green earth is there a needle long enough for that?!?!  What am I missing here?

TIA