It is so funny how everyone has a different opinon on which is easier. Knit or crochet? For me it's crochet. Knitting has too many stitches to keep on the needle and too hard to quit in the middle of the row.
If you are teaching yourself, try these sites.
http://www.nexstitch.com/index.html
http://www.knittinghelp.com/
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/index.php
Please post pictures of your blankets! I'd love to see them. I sure miss the "music" my Mom used to make when she knitted. Those knitting needles (metal) would just sing. I loved to hear her knit. She would sit and count in German and knit so much she would create a hole in her index finger from pushing down the needle. I have done tiny bit of crocheting and my Mom was too frustrated to teach me knitting...but I sure did try! ;0)
http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/
These are excellent free sites with videos and patterns for both knitting and crochet. I taught myself to doboth last winter with the help of these sites and a few YouTube videos and now have 3 large afghans to show for it.
Keep at it. You'll get the hang of it.