The Complete Beginner's Guide to Knitting

My mother-in-law taught me the basics of knitting - the knit and purl stithces. And since she is a plane ride away, all I was able to learn were these. So I bought this DVD in November and couldn't be happier! I've already completed my first scarf and I am working on another one. Nici is very personable and shows you exactly how to knit. She makes it very easy to learn and eases any worries you have about knitting. She shows you how to cast on, the knit and purl stitches, (everything in both English and Continental styles), ribbing, adding yarn, binding off, increasing and decreasing stitches, gauging, finishing and there is even a first aid kit and more. The DVD comes with a few scarf patterns and I am completely addicted! The best part about the DVD is you can learn at your own pace. Nici McNally is a terrific teacher and I would recommend this DVD to any beginning knitter or anyone even thinking about wanting to learn to knit. This DVD is so much better than trying to read books that show you how to knit. They are hard to read and do not make any sense.

I am not good with reading instructions and translating that to real life. Not even with great drawings. But I was able to follow the clear, and simple instructions presented in this DVD! I loved sitting in front of the TV with my DVD remote by my side, knitting needles in my hands and yarn hanging from my fingers! I was knitting in just a few minutes and am absolutely hooked on it! That was two weeks ago and now I want to try new things and wish that I could find a DVD format for some more advance techniques.

I most appreciated the way the DVD is set up and the personality of the teacher. She is very pleasant, talks slowly enough to be easily understood without being annoying or condescending. I felt like I was learning from an aquaintance . . . one with a lot of patience! The DVD stops at just the right moments and you can easily repeat sections as many times as you need to or jump to whatever interests you. There is an "emergency" secion that is invaluable! I was adding stitches like mad until she showed me exactly where I went wrong -- turns out it is a common mistake and very easy to correct once you see her clear explanation and video.

Just a terrific resource that I will probably be coming back to frequently. I am not a big 'scarf' person and that is the only project included in the little booklet included with the video. But she teaches the basics of knitting and purling which is all it takes to create various patterns (garter, stockinette, seed, basket weave, etc.). Rather than full-fledges scarves, I made short "scarves" using cotton yarn and called them dish clothes. I also tried various patterns and combinations on with other types of yarn we had around the house and my daughter has happily employed these as blankets for her hundreds of beanie babies. There is a LOT you can do with a simple scarf pattern even if you're not a scarf person!

I've now started making stuffed balls using four double pointed needles and am anxious to make a hat on a circular needle as soon as I find a suitable pattern! This DVD was a terrific start for me!

I was very excited to receive this DVD after reading the other reveiws and I was not disappointed. It was so easy to follow and just like the DVD says I was knitting after chapter 2. I am deployed to Iraq right now and this is my stress relief. My husband and children will get many scarfs and hopfully at least one blanket.

I have tried in the past to learn to knit from books and even others around me who knew how to knit without success. After viewing this crystal clear, superb dvd, I am a knitting machine now! I am anxiously awaiting the next dvd that is for expansion of beginning skills. If you have tried and not been successful in the past, then this is what you have been waiting for. Do not hesitate to make this purchase - you won't regret it! Happy Knitting!

"The Complete Beginner's Guide to Knitting" is a fantastic guide
for any beginner knitter. I knew nothing about knitting before
buying this dvd. It is well organized in sections (chapters)
& one can go directly
to the section they need very easily with their remote control.
There is even a first aid
section for mistakes that may come up in one's knitting (very helpful
to me!). I made the garter stitch scarf and Nici McNally walks you thru
every step of the way, in a friendly and easy to understand way.
This dvd has close ups of the knitting so you can see what she
is doing very easily.
(I also bought another high rated knitting dvd here on Amazon.
Although it was a very interesting dvd all together, the teaching parts
were not as close up and as easy to see. So I do have something to compare Nici's dvd too).

I highly recommend this dvd to anyone
who wants to learn to knit. Great step by step directions & very well organized dvd. A+++