Product Details

• Format: NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: All Regions
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Studio: Nici McNally Knitting DVDs
• DVD Release Date: June 1, 2005
• Run Time: 180 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (162 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000A0P6A4
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,845 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • #31 in Movies & TV > DVD > Special Interests

Editorial Reviews

This step-by-step, hand-holding guide to knitting is EASY to watch and makes learning fast and simple. Although this DVD is packed with everything a beginner needs to know, the chapters are bite-sized. Beautiful and clear demonstrations can get you started knitting scarf in only 30 MINUTES._____ There is a companion WEBSITE for the DVD where you can download lots of FREE beginner patterns! Scarves, Ponchos, Baby Blankets, Sweaters, and more._____ What you'll learn: Casting On, The Knit Stitch (English & Continental), The Purl Stitch (English & Continental), Adding Yarn & Changing Colors, Bind Off, Increasing, Decreasing, Ribbing, Gauge, Finishing, First Aid Kit (how to fix mistakes)._____ Featuring broadcast quality video with close-up demonstrations. Playable WORLDWIDE. Watch on your DVD Player & TV or DVD-compatible COMPUTER!_____ We guarantee your satisfaction. If you don't love your DVD, send it back to us and we'll refund your money instantly.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

195 of 196 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Want to knit? Buy this DVD!, December 26, 2006

By 

Annon - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Beginner's Guide to Knitting (DVD)

I LOVE this DVD! I've looked at books, online instruction, and even had a family member try to teach me. None of those methods worked for me. The way Nici goes about teaching is like having a friend come over to give instructions. She is very clear and goes slowly. The DVD pauses in places so you can go ahead and then press play when you are ready. She teaches two methods, English and Continental. We chose Continental. I found out why my family member could not teach me.......she does English, and I'm all thumbs that way. So having both shown gives you the ability to select which works best for you. The only thing for a beginner that I found difficult was casting on. The DVD shows 3 ways of slip knotting to start, but does not show where the tail should go....front or back? My mom came over to show us - after casting on the tail goes in the front. This is where you will be using the yarn from the cast on your first 10 loops.....when you turn the needle around as you switch hands, your tail will be in the back where it needs to be. I know that sounds simple, but for a beginner it was a conundrum!! If the tail is in the front, you run out of yarn! Other than that tiny detail....every detail for knitting and purling is covered well!! There are close up angles and it is show "over the shoulder" so you are not watching her knit and then try to reverse it. If you want to learn to knit......buy this DVD...within a short while you'll be knitting away!
Nici covers the following:
Casting on - how to get started
the knit stitch - continental or english
The purl stitch - continental or english
add yarn - if you run out or want to add a color etc..
binding off - how to end
ribbing - how to knit and purl on the same row
increasing - adding stitches
decreasing - taking away stitches
gauge - how many stitches per inch to get the right size
finishing - sewing pieces together
first aid kit - HELP for mistakes
tips and advice - tips and advice :)
She also has a website, [....]. And there are other DVDs only I've not found them on Amazon??

65 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Help, May 30, 2006

By 

C. Breedlove (Deep South) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Beginner's Guide to Knitting (DVD)

I have been knitting for a little over six months and I know the basics (knit, purl, casting on, etc) but this DVD has still been an immense help to me. I now know how to apply emergency first aid to a swatch, how to block, increasing and other little things that you need on your journey to becoming a knitter. Also as a bonus, some of the knitting terms, SSK and K2tog are explained.

You can't go wrong with this DVD. She shows you English and Continental styles and the best part--she encourages you and tells you it's okay to hold your needle a certain way or knit loosely.

Oh, yes, I have never worked for Nici McNally and have no ties to any knitting company so I am completely unbiased

83 of 88 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Initial technical difficulties, but AWESOME INSTRUCTION!, August 22, 2006

By 

Jamie J. Bourgeois (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Beginner's Guide to Knitting (DVD)

I first purchased this DVD in December 2005 and learned to knit immediately. I was able to knit 3 scarves for Christmas gifts just within a week after learning through this DVD. However, the first copy I received did not play properly. I contacted Nici and immediately got a response and a new DVD. That one worked just fine until my husband scratched it (he claims he didn't, and liked to point out the first one was faulty) and the player was unable to read it. And BTW, my husband has commented on Nici's style, saying, "How'd she get so good at teaching when she looks so young?" but he refuses to knit. oh well. So I am on my third copy, and I would continue to replace it if needed because the instruction is so clear, Nici is so personable that you'd think she was right there knitting with you, and the Chapter set up is great. The DVD automatically pauses after showing you a new technique, and then when you are ready you press play. So you never fall behind like in a class! There's a first aid kit chapter to help you figure out your mistakes and how to fix them. My third copy had an updated version of the booklet, with more detailed instruction patterns. I found the first edition of the booklet a bit vague for a beginner, but the new version is just right. I look forward to the sequel in the fall!