So I am somewhat self-taught, and working mostly on a baby blanket at the moment. I had been working on a self-created top using an existing shirt as a template, but I just wasn't feeling it. I ripped out what I had made (a task in and of itself, as I had already made the whole front panel!) and I'm thinking of recycling the yarn into a sweet sweater (possibly with a contrasting but complementary neckline/sleeves in a different stitch... I dunno)
By mostly self-taught, I was instructed by first my grandmother in chain stitch, then one of my best friends in single and double crochet and working in standard rows. So rounds, increasing, and pattern stitches, etc, I've just figured out by reading patterns and frogging. A lot.