Master Knitting Level 1 Vol. 2

This is week 2 I've been working on The Knitting Guild Association Master Hand Knitting Program Level 1.  I've knit swatches 1-8 and answered the relevant questions.  I've blocked swatches 4, 5 and 6.

I've never used so many pins in my life.  If I were blocking a sweater, I don't think I'd use this many pins.  Getting the edges flat and not rolling in on themselves was a challenge.  Also, because of the pins I am using and the surface and thickness of the blocking mats, I can't shove them all the way down for the heads to hold down the fabric, hence the amount of pins.  

I'm thinking I should start putting my binder together now.  I have all the materials, but all my written work is in digital format at the moment.  I am guessing I should wait to put my swatches in the binder until its time to mail it - I'm thinking they'll get squished and flattened over time.

The most difficult part I am finding is answers to things I know ... but at least 2 sources have to be cited for each question and swatch.  So far I've used this as a good excuse to add some books to my library.  One that I am actually finding quite useful for the "simple" questions is The Complete Idiot's Guide to Knitting & Crocheting by Gail Diven, sounds silly, I know, but its got all the fundamentals that are PERFECT if you were just learning to knit.  Also, I want to get back into crochet, so I figured this would be a good place to start.

I am also using these books:

The Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt

Knitting Without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmerman

And I just received my order of:

The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques by Nancie M. Wiseman

Sweater Design in Plain English by Maggie Righetti

Knitting in Plain English by Maggie Raghetti

I have found that I really prefer "reference" books in traditional book form ... I have The Principles of Knitting as the kindle edition and I find it very difficult to work with like that.  Although it does have an index and hyperlinks, it just doesn't feel right, I know the platform also has bookmarks, but I prefer good old sticky notes ...