What you could do is just a practice piece with new techniques. CO about 20-30 sts, knit a couple inches then practice the decreases for a few rows, then the increases for a few rows using the videos here for them.
http://knittinghelp.com/videos/increases
http://knittinghelp.com/videos/decreases
Once you have them figured out, then try a hat pattern, baby sweater, or something that uses them.