The Complete Beginner's Guide to Knitting

This is a wonderful, highly-recommended DVD for beginning knitters!!

I began knitting about a year ago and have been slowly building my skills. I first learned from a book and was confused by the various written instructions: "put your needle through the front of the stitch," "loop the yarn around the needle," etc. What, exactly, is the front of the stitch? Loop the yarn from left to right or from right to left around the needle? The accompanying photographs helped little. I did finally learn, through trial and error (mostly error) and feel that I've come a long way, although I'm still at the so-called "scarf stage." I wanted to expand my skills and learn how to make more than long rectangles, and I also wanted some help with problems I was having (picking up dropped stitches, knitting with consistent tension, etc.), so I put a few basic knitting books on my Amazon wish list. Luckily, I received none of the books I wanted and instead was gifted Nici's DVD.

This is by far the best "learn to knit" guide I have come upon. Having an actual video of basic knitting is such a great way to learn (and, in my case, re-learn the basics). I have only watched the first three chapters, but already I am in LOVE with the DVD and Nici's style of teaching. It is like being in a one-on-one class, but even better since you get such patient but enthusiastic instruction from Nici and can watch segments as many times as you like.

The close-ups of the actual knitting segments are fantastic: the dark wood needles with light-colored yarn against a stark white background make for excellent visibility, and the tight shots that accompany the instructions of what NOT to do (knit through the middle, through the row below, etc.) make it very clear what is meant by "put your needle through the front of the stitch." She even highlights in yellow what exactly is the 'front' of the stitch and what is the 'back'! It may sound silly, but it really did help me to visualize the different parts of the stitch. She specifically instructs to wrap the yarn counter-clockwise around the needle and cautions that the last stitch of the row is always loose (another pitfall I could have avoided - by _not_ trying to tighten up that last stitch!) Nici has a natural, casual way of instructing; you can tell she is a pro at it. She does not dryly read from a script, but rather instructs like she is standing right in front of you and talking from her years of experience.

If I had had this DVD a year ago, my first creations wouldn't have mysteriously increased (I fell prey to the "Beginner's Boobytrap" many times!) and my stitches would not have sometimes looked funny (because I was knitting through the middle). Even though I have been knitting for a while, I have finally learned how to perfect the basic knit and purl, and I am looking forward to learning the right way to increase, decrease, tie new yarn on and finish. I was planning on taking a class at my local knitting store, but now I don't need to since Nici covers everything I was confused about.

If I had a friend who wanted to learn how to knit, I would purchase them this DVD without hesitation. And, I can't wait for Nici's "Beyond the Basics" DVD to come out!

okay if you are thinking about buying this video, DO IT NOW. I have never held a knitting needle in my hand I have watched 20 minutes of the video and have knitted a scarf. It took a lot of time and a few times watching the mistake section to get it right but I finally got it.

Very clear pictures, slow action, easy to rewind, both pick and throw methods are shown. THis video showed me how to "read" my stiches and made it much easier to identify and correct mistakes.

delivery on time. product exactly as described. i haven't had much time yet to actually use this dvd (hence the 4-star rating), but from the little bit that i have seen, it appears as tho i might actually learn to knit from this. written instructions with pictures have never been successful for me, since you cannot actually view the transitin b/w steps; or how you get from one step to the next. with this dvd, you actually get to watch someone perform the steps from an "over the shoulder" view. plus, you can repeat clips as often as you like, unlike a class (unless you had an infinitely patient instructor). finally, it's much, much cheaper than paying for a class.

I bought this DVD because of other reviews. I have limited use of my left hand,so the option of following "right-handed" or "left-handed" (aka English or German) videos really helped me.I am right-handed,but knit "left-handed" Other DVDs either put the "left-handed" portion in a small box in the corner or tell you watch the DVD in mirror. Please,a mirror! If you brand new to knitting this is the DVD to buy-excellent for the basics and common mistakes.I rarely have questions in class, I have them at home.It's cheaper than a class. I'm on my third project after having the DVD less than two months.Vetern knitters are impressed w/work.