Knotting thread

Angel · Post by **Angel** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:55 am

For some reason my thread keeps knotting while I'm stitching. Ant tips or tricks to stop this?

Genevieve · Post by **Genevieve** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:11 am

It's a real pain, isn't it? I always raise my work up and let my needle dangle every few minutes. This allows the thread to unwind. I have read that it's also a good idea to turn the needle every few stitches, which, in effect, does the same thing - but I haven't tried that. Hope this helps.

agi · Post by **agi** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:03 am

I do that - I mean turning the needle every now and then. It is also a good trick to cut your thread shorter, and when you pull it through do it slow, especially at the beginning of a new piece of thread when it is still long.

wendywombat · Post by **wendywombat** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:07 am

I agree with both previous suggestions too. You could also try giving the needle a half twist in your fingers every few stitches.

coffee_freak · Post by **coffee_freak** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:05 am

i'm both a twister and a dangler

wendywombat · Post by **wendywombat** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:08 am

coffee_freak wrote:i'm both a twister and a dangler

there's no answer to that!!

Serinde · Post by **Serinde** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 2:26 pm

C-F, I stand with you shoulder to shoulder. Or should I say with every twist and dangle...

mags · Post by **mags** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 2:32 pm

And me

Rose · Post by **Rose** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 3:57 pm

I personally am a dangler stitcher.

You can also use the thread heaven that seems to help. I doit mostly on metallics but it can be used with great effect on regular cotton thread.

Jilly · Post by **Jilly** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 4:07 pm

I too twist and dangle, also over the years I have somehow developed the habit of twining my fingers round the thread as I pull, taking up the slack, very handy with the metallics. I could never describe how I do it, it just happens now.
So I dangle, twist and twine.
the forum finger dance

ConnieO · Post by **ConnieO** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 4:40 pm

I'm a dangler!

coffee_freak · Post by **coffee_freak** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 5:09 pm

lacemaker2004 · Post by **lacemaker2004** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:02 pm

If you came in midway on the conversation you would get the wrong impression

I also do a mix but I also keep an eye on the thread for knots and when one starts to form I gently grab the knot, and tug gently and it usually unkinks. This only works if it hasn't tightened up.

Angel · Post by **Angel** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:27 pm

I know, I could see it spiralling ^_^

I do that, sometimes it un knots, others iit goes worse.

I do dangle sometimes. I'll try twisting.

lacemaker2004 · Post by **lacemaker2004** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:32 am

Twisting definitely helps reduce the problem. To stop the knot once it's there you need to tug on only one side, the other side will make it worse. Unfortunately off hand I can't exactly remember which end is the good one.

Angel · Post by **Angel** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:34 am

If you ever do remember, be sure to let me know?

lacemaker2004 · Post by **lacemaker2004** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:42 am

I'll try to remember to pay attention next time it happens....shouldn't be long now.......

lacemaker2004 · Post by **lacemaker2004** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:53 am

It requires two hands. Hold the two pieces of thread coming out of the fabric and the end that goes into the needle between two fingers on one hand. Then pull do the pinching with the other hand.

I'm not sure how else to describe it.....I'll see if we can get some pictures next time.

Angel · Post by **Angel** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:08 am

Well I'm not stitching at the momen. My vision is going so I'm going to have to o get food...in the adverts of this mythology film. Then I'll test it out.

*looks excited* to be able to get rid of a knot... Mmm YAY

Serinde · Post by **Serinde** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:46 am

Usually a knot with stitching is a slip knot. Another way to undo the knot is to stick your needle through the little loop, hold one of the ends of thread and pull. You'll know if you have the correct end to pull, and the needle prevents any real knots forming.