I like the Big Book of Knitting by Katharina Buss (Sterling Publishing, NY, 1999, at least the English translation). My mom bought this for me a couple of Christmases ago. It was $30 then. I like the illustrations (all color, big pages, lots of details.) Before, I was using books from the '40s and '50s and I couldn't make head nor tail out of them half the time.(posted 9380 days ago)I agree...just dive in and see what kind of twisted little messes you can make at first (or be like someone I know who made argyle socks perfectly on her very first knitting project!!) I am definitely in the twisted mess maker category, but I am a good ripper and backer-up and I eventually end up with something resembling the original idea.
I would recommend starting with light yarn, long enough (but not too long needles) and good light. If you are more alert in the a.m., start then. I can't deal with trying to knit in the dark with dark yarn! Oh and knit a swatch for gauge first, too. Otherwise you can end up with Barbie socks or socks that you can put two legs into. Keep us posted!