Good Job Kelly, your getting there.
I don't seem to have the problems with pin knots that you are having? I just work my way over them until the sapwood is removed and don't really worry too much about them until I start chasing the ring I want. Then I go slow from one end to the other and it may take me 2 days to chase the ring down the entire length of the stave. While doing that.....when I get to a knot or pin knot I slowly crawl around it with my draw knife being careful not to gouge into it and rip a chunk of wood off deep into my ring. Then I come back later and scrape around them with a fillet knife.
I know it's tough working down your first one and it can be a challenge because you reach many points where you just kinda scratch your head and think to yourself, "Where do I go from here?"
It's ok though, your doing great!
It would be nice if you had access to a skill saw or a sawzall. Then you could score the stave straight down the middle like Jon said and when you split it, it will follow that line you scored. I've done that many times.
However, I know your limited in what tools you have available so you just have to make due with what you have.
Just remember, they didn't have power tools back in the old days......at least that's what I keep telling myself. :rolleyes:
Keep up the good work!