Customer Reviews

Learn To Knit with Laura-Jean

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am surprised at all the four-star ratings on this instructional knitting DVD. For almost $25 I am disappointed in it. I am a new knitter, having taught myself the basic stitches at stitchguide.com and elsewhere on the internet. I wanted to learn more and am a bit challenged when it comes to learning strictly by reading, especially when it comes to something spacially related, like making one long piece of yarn into a garment using two needles.

I found I had to go to extreme slow stop-motion when watching Laura demonstrating the knit and pearl stitches, almost as if she was a magician performing slight of hand. It should've been very clear, I felt. Also, I still don't know how to knit on circular needles. At no time does Laura bother to tell me in which hand to hold which needle, so that I was stumped until I did again, slooooow stop-motion using my player's remote and to my surprise saw her switch the needles in her hands almost imperceptibly. This is bad when teaching a new knitter...Again, I expected this to be more clear. If I wanted magic, I would've bought something else.

I also expected to learn what to do when I drop a stitch, and this valuable piece of information is hidden somewhere in the tape, surely. I'm sure I'll find it eventually. In general, I find my basic questions unanswered.

A pleasant personality for sure, but for truly new knitters I cannot recommend this instructional video, and certainly not for the price, new. I learned as much for free online.

I initially purchased Learn to Knit with Laura-Jean so I can make sweaters for my 3 year old son. I was skeptical about the information I was going to receive from the video and how interesting it would be. I found the video to be very informative and explained in an easy to understand manner. Specifically the demonstrations provided allowed me to translate the information I was reading in my patterns. I could not do that before. I like the sections that demonstrated how to purchase yarn and accessories. Many beginners books leave that type of information out. I would have to disagree with the one negative review, as it sounds like she's actually knit before. Otherwise, how would she know that the techniques were unusual? I found Laura-Jean's approach to be refreshing and a new look at an old hobby.

Like most Gen-Xers, I have been sucked into believing that knitting is cool again. So I went to my local library and got a few books on knitting along with this DVD. I was very disappointed with this DVD and glad that I rented it from the library rather than buying it. Laura-Jean seems to be a superb knitter but a horrible teacher. I know NOTHING about knitting. One of her first instructions is to make a slipknot. Since I'm a white collar worker, no longer in the Girl Scouts, and never worked on a pirate ship, I have no idea what a slipknot is. Unfortunately, Laura-Dean did not explain or show what one was either. Her speed is annoyingly fast. I constantly was stopping, rewinding and putting my DVD in slo-mo just to keep up. I did better reading "Teach Yourself Visually Knitting" than watching Laura. I give it 2 stars because it might be good if you are refreshing or have some knitting experience already, plus Laura Jean seems like a nice enough person and I would hate to just poo poo a nice person and all. If you have no idea how to knit and are truly a beginner, don't get this. Beginners will simply leave feeling frustrated and discouraged.

Laura Jean was an excellent speaker and teacher. It was great to see things actually being made and how they were supposed to work. I wish I'd have found this sooner than I did. It makes learning to knit a lot easier than using a book. The books are great as references once you have an idea of what you are doing. I recommend this DVD to anyone who wants to knit but feels like they just can't figure it out. The only disappointment was when she went over how to read a pattern at the end. She didn't actually step by step show you what to do as she explained the pattern. That would have been the icing on the cake.

I loved the enthusiasm of Laura-Jean as she teaches how to do several beginner's projects. She inspired me to knit a cute sweater for my little dog Abigail. We both love how it turned out. Unlike another reviewer, I was happy to be able to replay sections, or slow down the instruction when I needed to do so. That's the beauty of a DVD. Thanks so much, Laura-Jean, for making knitting so much fun!! I recommend this DVD highly and I am buying some extras to give as Christmas gifts for my friends.

Knitting always seemed complicated to me, but this DVD made it fun and easy to learn. I could go directly to the technique I needed (casting off, increasing etc.) with the menu and work at my own pace. The host made it seem fun to learn, and encourages you to not worry about getting it perfect when you're starting out. I was surprised by how much I learned and how easy and fun it was!

I liked this video a lot. I've tried to learn before using a book but got frustrated and gave up. This video demonstrated techniques very clearly and really got me going. It starts simply and adds techniques as you progress. I've already made a scarf and a hat and am excited about starting my next project.

I passed this on to my mother in law I thought it was so good. I spent hours watching and learning and wanted to pass it on. Now I hope she uses it to make me and my husband lots of new presents!!!! I love the step by step process. It is great having it on DVD because it is easier to flip back and review what was said and done. Now if only I had time to Knit. It is a shame she doesn't explain when you can sneak in time to knit! That is my only complaint...

I regret that I did not find this video worthwhile. The instructor in the video has a very strange way of knitting. She uses her middle finger of her left hand to do most of the work and uses her armpit to hold the left needle! I am a beginning knitter, and I would hate to pick up her style of knitting.

The instructor also spends a lot of time in a yarn shop, thus taking away from the knitting instruction. I wish I could say something positive about this DVD as I always try to find the positive side of anything.

I am a serious about learning to knit. I don't recommend this video as I fear I may pick up a bad habit, such as knitting with my armpit.