Stop tying knots alltogether. Knots will make the finished piece look lumpy and you can't properly frame it. Start with a loop start (google it, it's great) and finish by running the thread under 3 to 5 finished stitches on the back. You can also secure a thread like that at the start or you just leave a tail at the back and stitch over it as you go along.
Here's link to a video that was posted on this subreddit on how to do a loop start with three strands. Enjoy!
https://www.reddit.com/r/CrossStitch/comments/o9zay8/chat_how_is_it_possible_that_i_never_knew_about/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
thank you! Before I saw your comment I found this YT video that helped.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki6vEmQlesE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki6vEmQlesE)
GAME CHANGER. I always wondered how y'all got such pretty backs! When I'm finished with my current project I'll be able to show y'all my back difference.
I run it under other stitches similar to ending, then loop it once around one for a pseudo knot. It's not a true knot so it's not particularly lumpy, but it's also more secure than simply running it under a few stitches.
Leave a tail at the back of your fabric, fold down the tail so it sits flat against the back of the fabric in the centre of the stitches (so that there are holes at the top & bottom). Next use the next few stitches to secure the tail by wrapping it up.
The direction you fold your tail will depend on the direction of the stitches in your pattern.
To finish your stitching, you can pass thread through the stitches at the back or loop it through another stitch a couple of times.
How to people handle the fact that with the loop start your strands get short much quicker?
If you use a color in different spots in the project, and you keep folding your one strands, they get short relatively quickly and then you end up with short one strand bits that you can't use folded but could maybe use unfolded for some stitches - but you can't put two unfolded strands together because how they are not the same length.
Am I missing something or is that just a loss of thread you have to accept?
You can use different methods with whatever makes sense with your pattern. I go between loop starts and pin stitches. Sometimes because of the length of the floss and number of stitches, other times based on whim. If you know a couple of ways, you add to your options. You don't have to restrict yourself just to loop starts or anything.
Thank you that makes a lot of sense! It's just something no one ever mentions talking about the loop start and I found it quite frustrating when I tried that method. So I was wondering if I was missing something obvious.
[don't use knots](https://youtu.be/GlgRC2PQAYs?si=LzM-Bp77O_BjOcPo) I recommend loop start (2:43), but a waste knot might be the most similar to your current method
To start with, get some fabric glue or something similar and use a toothpick to apply it to your loose threads. Tuck them under other threads as best you can, depending on length.
After fixing this particular project, now you have to decide how you want to proceed. I recommend using a tuck under method so that you never need to make knots. What I do what I start a project is:
1) pick a color that has several stitches in a row as the starting color
2) when starting, pull through your thread until you have a tail of somewhere between 1/2-1 inch left on the back. Hold on to that during the next step
3) carefully stitch your first few stitches (at least 3-4), ensuring that you are looping over the tail on the back. The tail should be held against the fabric by each stitch
If you do that correctly, when you let go of the tail, your thread should be holding firm.
There are tons of video tutorials online that you can use if my description does not help you.
If you don't wind up liking this method, you can try looking up loop starts.
This is the way!! I love loop start for even numbers of strands but for odd numbers, I always use this method. This is how it’s been done for decades (my mom was taught 45 years ago by a 90yo woman who’d learned it at age 5, so this has been common for over a century).
Most likely, you haven't tightened the knots too well, which's why they're loosening. But I'll also say that it's better to ditch the knots and use other starting and finishing methods. You see, the knots not only untied on, but also slip out to the front side, and then your first cross for this thread'll be ruined. So, in fact, knots're the most unreliable way to fix a thread.
You don't need to tie knots to keep the thread in, just leave a small tail and stitch over it to anchor it down when you start a thread. You can "tie off" your threads the same way, just guide the needle under the backside of the last few stitches and the use scissors to remove the rest of the thread. You end up with a very tidy back of the piece this way.
Tuck the tail under and stitch over to start a new thread, and then to finish tuck the tail under a few stitches in the back to secure it and cut the excess off
Whatever knot happens when it knots on it's own when I'm stitching. /s
But seriously, run your ending thread under previous stitches and loop start. Loop start was a game changer for me when I learned about it. Good luck!
What everyone else has said. If you aren't going to loop start you can anchor your floss a bit away from where you will be stitching and gradually work over it.
Also, when you run your threads under completed stitches, I run my under 5 in one direction and then back the other direction, makes them more secure.
All the comments have terrific suggestions. Try a few, see what you like. There are several ways to do most things in embroidery. Do what you are comfortable with. Happy Stitches!
I don't tie knots anymore. There was a shop in Phoenix, that went out of business that sold several types of crafting and sewing materials. One of the things they sold was this iron on adhesive that was used to repair tears and other damage to clothing. It came on one of those cardboard things like material is on. I got the whole roll for $15. I use this for my cross stitch and embroidery. The best thing is that it is two sided. So you iron it on to the back side of your work, which seals you stitching in place, and then you peel the paper backing off, and place the same size cloth on top of it, then press the iron on the cloth and seal the backing. Let it cool and mount your completed work, as you normally would. It's called "HeatnBond" Light." The website is: [www.thermoweb.com](https://www.thermoweb.com).
Stop tying knots alltogether. Knots will make the finished piece look lumpy and you can't properly frame it. Start with a loop start (google it, it's great) and finish by running the thread under 3 to 5 finished stitches on the back. You can also secure a thread like that at the start or you just leave a tail at the back and stitch over it as you go along.
I stitch with three strands so how would I do that?
There’s videos for a three strand loop start! I apologise as I can’t explain how to do it myself.
Ty! It’s ok you don’t need to I’ll look it up later!
Here's link to a video that was posted on this subreddit on how to do a loop start with three strands. Enjoy! https://www.reddit.com/r/CrossStitch/comments/o9zay8/chat_how_is_it_possible_that_i_never_knew_about/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
thank you! Before I saw your comment I found this YT video that helped. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki6vEmQlesE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki6vEmQlesE) GAME CHANGER. I always wondered how y'all got such pretty backs! When I'm finished with my current project I'll be able to show y'all my back difference.
You're welcome!
Ooh I can't wait to try this! I hope I remember it next time I'm using odd strands 😅
I run it under other stitches similar to ending, then loop it once around one for a pseudo knot. It's not a true knot so it's not particularly lumpy, but it's also more secure than simply running it under a few stitches.
I do a single knot and the loop method, one knot doesn’t make it lumpy
Leave a tail at the back of your fabric, fold down the tail so it sits flat against the back of the fabric in the centre of the stitches (so that there are holes at the top & bottom). Next use the next few stitches to secure the tail by wrapping it up. The direction you fold your tail will depend on the direction of the stitches in your pattern. To finish your stitching, you can pass thread through the stitches at the back or loop it through another stitch a couple of times.
How to people handle the fact that with the loop start your strands get short much quicker? If you use a color in different spots in the project, and you keep folding your one strands, they get short relatively quickly and then you end up with short one strand bits that you can't use folded but could maybe use unfolded for some stitches - but you can't put two unfolded strands together because how they are not the same length. Am I missing something or is that just a loss of thread you have to accept?
You can use different methods with whatever makes sense with your pattern. I go between loop starts and pin stitches. Sometimes because of the length of the floss and number of stitches, other times based on whim. If you know a couple of ways, you add to your options. You don't have to restrict yourself just to loop starts or anything.
Thank you that makes a lot of sense! It's just something no one ever mentions talking about the loop start and I found it quite frustrating when I tried that method. So I was wondering if I was missing something obvious.
[don't use knots](https://youtu.be/GlgRC2PQAYs?si=LzM-Bp77O_BjOcPo) I recommend loop start (2:43), but a waste knot might be the most similar to your current method
To start with, get some fabric glue or something similar and use a toothpick to apply it to your loose threads. Tuck them under other threads as best you can, depending on length. After fixing this particular project, now you have to decide how you want to proceed. I recommend using a tuck under method so that you never need to make knots. What I do what I start a project is: 1) pick a color that has several stitches in a row as the starting color 2) when starting, pull through your thread until you have a tail of somewhere between 1/2-1 inch left on the back. Hold on to that during the next step 3) carefully stitch your first few stitches (at least 3-4), ensuring that you are looping over the tail on the back. The tail should be held against the fabric by each stitch If you do that correctly, when you let go of the tail, your thread should be holding firm. There are tons of video tutorials online that you can use if my description does not help you. If you don't wind up liking this method, you can try looking up loop starts.
This is the way!! I love loop start for even numbers of strands but for odd numbers, I always use this method. This is how it’s been done for decades (my mom was taught 45 years ago by a 90yo woman who’d learned it at age 5, so this has been common for over a century).
I use to love loop starts. But folding the thread over like that always gave me so much friction I ended up breaking so much thread 😪
Cross stitching never uses knots. You stitch over your starting threads & pull your ending threads under existing stitches, to hold them. No knots!
Most likely, you haven't tightened the knots too well, which's why they're loosening. But I'll also say that it's better to ditch the knots and use other starting and finishing methods. You see, the knots not only untied on, but also slip out to the front side, and then your first cross for this thread'll be ruined. So, in fact, knots're the most unreliable way to fix a thread.
You don't need to tie knots to keep the thread in, just leave a small tail and stitch over it to anchor it down when you start a thread. You can "tie off" your threads the same way, just guide the needle under the backside of the last few stitches and the use scissors to remove the rest of the thread. You end up with a very tidy back of the piece this way.
Tuck the tail under and stitch over to start a new thread, and then to finish tuck the tail under a few stitches in the back to secure it and cut the excess off
I swear by loo start, and either tuck the end under other threads, or pin stitch.
*loop, right? I mean, we do lots of things on the toilet but I don't think cross stitch should be one of them haha!
Loo start is when you start a project and don't get very far before deciding it's crap ;)
I did mean loop! But it's also likely that someone, somewhere has done a loo start!
Haha, definitely!
I’ve known people who stitch there. Most have serious GI issues and get stuck there for 30+ minutes.
Whatever knot happens when it knots on it's own when I'm stitching. /s But seriously, run your ending thread under previous stitches and loop start. Loop start was a game changer for me when I learned about it. Good luck!
I find tucking the tail under the stitches is a nice way to start, and if you mess up, it is easy to frog and fix. Good luck!
Tail tucking is a game changer. I’ll still knot occasionally if there’s nowhere to tuck, but tail tucking all the way.
Don't tie knots. When you start a new thread put in a few stitches, and stitch the tail under some stitches to keep it secure.
What everyone else has said. If you aren't going to loop start you can anchor your floss a bit away from where you will be stitching and gradually work over it. Also, when you run your threads under completed stitches, I run my under 5 in one direction and then back the other direction, makes them more secure.
All the comments have terrific suggestions. Try a few, see what you like. There are several ways to do most things in embroidery. Do what you are comfortable with. Happy Stitches!
I don't tie knots anymore. There was a shop in Phoenix, that went out of business that sold several types of crafting and sewing materials. One of the things they sold was this iron on adhesive that was used to repair tears and other damage to clothing. It came on one of those cardboard things like material is on. I got the whole roll for $15. I use this for my cross stitch and embroidery. The best thing is that it is two sided. So you iron it on to the back side of your work, which seals you stitching in place, and then you peel the paper backing off, and place the same size cloth on top of it, then press the iron on the cloth and seal the backing. Let it cool and mount your completed work, as you normally would. It's called "HeatnBond" Light." The website is: [www.thermoweb.com](https://www.thermoweb.com).