How would I embroider onto a set of boots like this?

I've been knitting for the last four hours and this is all I've got so far.



Am I an extremely slow knitter or does it normally take forever to make something?

EDIT: Thanks for all the help. I think it was because I was trying to hold the yarn in a way that didn't work for me. It was extremely awkward and I had to adjust every time I finished a row. I've sped up and I think I'll actually be able to finish by Thursday now.

Here is my progress after another four hours.



P.S. I don't have any real knitting needles, so I have been using barbeque skewers.