need a tip for knotting threads....

[belle909]

hello, im new to this site and need advice on how to stop my thread from knotting up while im stitching.
im quite new to cross stitch, well ive had an intrest in it for about 4 years but over the past year ive been an avid stitcher.
can someone help me with the knot situation, as its bugging me. ive tried loosening the thread and letting it untwine but it still does it. i love stitching
thanks
belle

[rcperryls]

Hello and welcome from South Carolina. Sorry you have trouble with threads knotting. We all probably do at some point and it can be so annoying. Making sure that your threads aren't too long is probably important. And periodically checking to make sure that the strands aren't getting tangled up. It still happens, but maybe less often.

I hope you plan on showing us some of your work in the future. What are you stitching now?

Carole

[belle909]

hello. thanks for your reply. it does get annoying when my threads knot, i guess its one of those things i try be so careful but it still seems to happen.
at the moment im working on a few projects,some xmas decorations for my mum, a cover for my sewing box ive just bought and some xmas cards getting in the spirit.
what are you sewing?
do you also have a tip to stop the aida fraying, somthing i can put on the edge when the aida edge is on show on a card?
belle

[MaggieM1750]

When I seperate the each strand from the 6, I lick it.. yes yes, I am a floss licker. If you don't want to be as gross as me, you could use something like Thread Heaven (available at most needlework shops, I'm in the US and I saw it in the store the last time I was at JoAnns.. in the tool aisle of the quilting section. Its a little blue box, about 1" square) I think it helps remove static from floss.
I also heard somewhere to "dangle to untangle" every dozen or so stitches. Not sure if it was something I read here or if its something my aunt told me.
And like Carole said, keep your thread a managable length. I stitch with a length somewhere between 12-18"

Happy Stitching

[Squirrel]

Hi Belle and Welcome from Australia.

Tangling is a nuisance and some threads will do that no matter what one does. Try not to let it 'get to you' too much.

If I am putting a stitched piece onto the outside of a card I just remove 2 rows of thread all around. It gives it a frayed look but it won't fray any further I've found. I sometimes make an aperture (sp?) and put the stitching inside, but not often as its fiddly.

Sally

[Mystonique]

Welcome 8} heaps of knowledge and friends here.

You may want to have a look at how you hold the needle and pass it through the fabric to ensure you aren't twisting the thread as you sew - if you are it's a hard habit to break but WELL worth the effort.

[Mabel Figworthy]

I am one of those who "dangle to untangle" whenever I notice the thread getting a bit too twisted; it also helps the strands lie neat and flat, which helps to get good coverage.
You may also want to try railroading (which only works when working with more than one strand) -- if working with two, take the needle between the strands when you go down into the fabric. This makes them lie neatly side by side. It takes a little longer, but after a while it becomes a habit and you hardly notice you're doing it. I tend to railroad once every four or five stitches, but I know some people just do it as standard practice.

[Offe]

I "dangle to untangle" and also I use a tiny moist sponge (kept in an air tight box the same size) the same way you would use Thread Heaven.

[coffee_freak]

i also dangle to untangled too

[jocellogirl]

I'm also a dangler!

[Lessa54]

I dangle too. And railroad with blends.

*too much mummy time strikes, I now can't get the song I'm a dingle dangle scarecrow with a flippy floppy hat out of my head *

[skitzzzzz]

oh i have one bad habit i to lick the floss gross lol and dangle to untangle and use a trolley needle and railroad sometimes as well you will find whats comfotable for you no doubt

[JA Fan]

I used to have thread knotting all the time, so I know how you feel. Now I also "dangle to untangle" about every 4 or 5 stitches. I also railroad the top leg of every X. Those two techniques combined work a treat for me.

[Lenne]

When I seperate the each strand from the 6, I lick it.. yes yes, I am a floss licker.
Happy Stitching

The whole thread? Cheaper than Thread Heaven Going to give this a go hehe!

I keep my threads short and also dangle, plus I railroad. Sometimes threads seem to just not want to play nice and you end up with these really stubborn knots and if it happens twice I snip, secure, throw away and just use another bit of thread. If it's going to be mean to me, it is going in the bin!