Ripple Stitch Crochet Dishcloth, and questions...

I love double crochet, it's pretty and works up fast! So I wanted to try a new design and chose this Ripple Stitch Crochet Dishcloth. The site gave instructions for an afghan, I just shortened it for a dishcloth. What I like about this pattern is, it's very easy to follow in the middle, 4 DC then you make either a hill or valley and it's easy to see where you are too.

Somehow... I goofed up the first row and ended up with extra stitches in my chain? Additionally, the sides got all wonky (again) and I just worked with it as best I could. When I was done I undid the extra chains and wove in my ends.

 But look at how great the middle is:@)

Questions:

1. It's been a year since I first picked up a crochet hook and while making serviceable items, it's evident I'm doing something wrong or missing something. I was wondering if anyone had an on-line course they've used and are happy with? 
2. This may sound odd but, I use the 'I' hook a lot and it was a recent purchase, metal Boye hook (my other Boye hooks are many years old). The "coating" on this new hook is different than the other ones, it seems thicker? And this hook doesn't seem to glide as well as the others. Do you have a favorite brand/hook and have you tried the wooden ones? Do you like a thin or thick handle? I'd love to hear your thoughts on hooks!
3. It was heavily reduced so I ended up with 3 skeins of Bernat Icicle Holidays yarn at the end of last year (2 red, 1 green). This is a slightly shimmery super chunky 75% acrylic/25% nylon yarn. Anyone have an idea of what to make with it? I'm just not ~feeling~ the elf slippers on the label:@)

Ripple Stitch Dishcloth-from creativebug.com, this pattern is copied and pasted from that site, stop by for details.
My dishcloth: I hook, 100% cotton yarn, I chained 32 and made 12 rows (I'd add 1-2 more rows next time).

Chain 32 (or a multiple of five stitches plus seven). Make sure the chain is roughly as long as you want the finished piece to be wide. The ripple of the design will make the finished piece slightly shorter than your starting chain. With a size G hook, you will get about one inch of length for every four or five stitches.

Turn the piece when you have finished the chain. Double crochet in the fourth chain from the hook; this serves as the first double crochet.

Double crochet in each of the next three chains, for a total of four double crochet.

Make three double crochets in the next chain. This creates the first hill in the ripple pattern.

Double crochet in each of the next four chains. Skip two chains for the valley, and double crochet in four more chains. Make three double crochet in the next chain.

Repeat step five across the entire length of the chain. End the pattern after four double crochets coming down from a peak, before beginning a new valley.

Turn the piece. Chain three for the first double crochet. Double crochet in each of the next three double crochet.

Make three double crochet stitches in the next stitch. This stitch should be the middle of the three stitches made in the previous chain. It is at the very peak of the hill.

Double crochet in each of the next four stitches, and skip two stitches. These should be the stitches on either side of the two skipped stitches in the previous row. Double crochet in the next four stitches. Make three double crochets in the next stitch, at the top of the hill.

Repeat step nine across the length of the piece. Turn and repeat steps seven through nine for each row. Continue until the afghan has reached the desired length. Finish off and weave in the ends.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and have a happy day:@)