Knitting from the neck down

I’ve never done a pattern from the neck down. I cast on for one but that’s as far as I got! I couldn’t seem to figure out how to ‘make one’ from just a cast on edge. I usually do that by picking up a stitch from the row below. Anyway I got confused very quckly! Can anyone recommend a website or a book that explains it all in very simple terms and with pics or drawings?

You can knit front and back, or knit one row plain, then start the row/round where you need to increase.

thanks very much suzeeq! That is a great idea…duh!!