The Complete Beginner's Guide to Knitting

I was so excited when I saw the great reviews this got. It's okay. It's not as spectacular as some say it is. Sure it shows you the knit and purl stitch but it lacks content when it comes to the "fixing your mistakes" section. She doesn't address KEY issues. What good is it if you knit something and you can't fix your mistakes. Why bother trying right? She only shows 1 version of "correcting your mistakes" when there are many ways to make a certain mistake. It all depends on what stitch your trying to correct, it might be in the front, back, middle etc. I think you really need to have an actual person to show you how to knit. It took me a solid week to figure out how to do the knit stitch because you can't see what's behind her hands on a TV and she doesn't address where the yarn is supposed to be when you start. I was also counting on the "Tips and Advise" section of the DVD....guess what it was only 45 seconds long.

When she made this DVD she should have gone to a beginner knitting and ask her what questions that person has and put THAT in the DVD. I have to find another DVD that explains everything to me.

I would really look for a DVD that has all the content you need and not just how to do the knit and purl stitch.

I've never written a review before, but I am motivated to do so for Nici McNally's Complete Beginner's Guide to Knitting, because it is outstanding. As a recovering perfectionist, it is difficult to try new things. A counselor recommended knitting as a peaceful meditation, and when I read the Amazon reviews for this DVD, I thought I had found a good learning tool. Nici is such an enthusiastic and patient teacher, and the pacing of the DVD is just perfect. Moves are introduced very slowly, with extremely helpful words and demonstrations. Within minutes, I was knitting! Wahoo! I especially enjoy her First Aid Kit chapter, where she teaches you to spot your mistakes and unknit. The Beginners' Booby Trap information was great - the last time I tried to learn to knit, I fell into these mistakes unwittingly. They were so clearly explained in this DVD that I could catch myself almost as soon as I made them. I am SO glad I bought this DVD!!!

I've been doing crochet for over 20 years and have tried to learn to knit several times during that period. None of the books or internet sites I tried were able to teach me. I never understood what I was supposed to be doing from the drawings or photos provided.

Having someone *show* me made all the difference! Also, having Nici assure me that it was normal to feel clumsy and uncomfortable at first really helped put me at ease. I've only been practicing for an hour or two a day for about a week now and I'm already working on the basketweave scarf. I can't believe that after all the efforts over the years, I'm finally knitting!

I *highly* recommend this DVD. I'm over 60 years old and it's a thrill for this old dog to learn a new trick.

I got this for my niece for Christmas, and she says the directions are very clear and helpful.

This little DVD is awesome! I've never even seen someone knit before so I was really starting from the beginning. Nici is natural and funny, and shows you up close EXACTLY how to perform each step, plus the video pauses for you to practice or catch up. The first aid kit may be the best part! When you are working on a piece and you make a mistake, just go to the first aid kit section and Nici shows you exactly how to fix it. Terrific buy! I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to learn.