There are a ton of resources online to help learn to knit. I taught myself two years ago and just powered through it. Learning was super challenging. Lion Brand Yarn has a lot of tutorials online and youtube is awesome for helping, too. If you check out ravelry, there are tons of free patterns for new knitters and chat groups for folks to help each other learn. My first socks were in a bulky yarn. Its confidence building for sure.
check these sites out:
http://www.knittinghelp.com/
http://learntoknit.lionbrand.com/
http://www.cometosilver.com/socks/
I wouldn't be opposed to starting a learning to knit group and helping where I can. I'm sure some of the other knitters also would pipe up and offer help

We could do a KAL on a beginner's project - that might be fun.