Learning to Crochet-My First Dishcloth!

I've always admired folks that can crochet, I think it's art! For my first project I made this simple double crochet dishcloth and it was fun. Used a J hook, 100% cotton yarn and the video here.

I chose to chain 30 and made 19 rows.
(Update: After living with this for a while it's kinda big, the video suggests chaining 25, I'd try that.)

This pic is looking "down field", its actually 10.5 x 10.5-amazing!

Questions:

• Do you re-roll your skein of yarn into a ball or do you find the loose end and pull it out from the center? If you find it in the center, for sanity's sake... how???
• Anyone have a suggestion on how to keep the tension on the yarn in your left hand taught enough? I seem to be stopping quite often to pull it tighter with my right hand.
• I found a knot in the yarn as I was crocheting, is that normal? I'd expect a skein of yarn to be intact...
• Do you use the pencil grips on the hook or just the hook? My G-Mom-D was always making granny squares and she just used the hook, but... do the pencil grips help you loosen your grip on the hook? I'm fatiguing my wrists and hands by holding the hook way to tight (I already know that's happening).
• Any advice for a beginner? I'd love to hear any tidbits you'd like to share!

My tip: It's the beginning of a brand new year, if there's something you've wanted to try-go for it!

Thanks and have a happy day:@)

I'm joining: Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits