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I do the same thing that you do but it is out of fear and habit. I am so afraid it will come loose if I don't knot.
Having said that what you can do to get rid of the end knot is leave a bit of thread and run the needle under the stitches that you have just finished they say usually 4 or 5 stitches then if you want to really secure it turn the needle back the way you have come skipping the last stich that you just ran under and run the needle back through the stitches and cut off.

I have been trying this with the cards I am currently working and it is fine but on my bigger stuff I am still ending in a knot can't seem to get past the fear.

I hope you can follow what I have said here.

Sorry Collette! Try this one: www.thecrossstitchguild.com/basics.asp

I never use knots at the back. I start and finish the same way, by running the thread through some existing stitches on the back. If you are scared it's going to come loose, run your thread under more stitches. I've never had anything come loose, if that's any help.

I always do a tiny little knot after I thread through 4 -5 stitches at the back, cos like you Rose, I can't help thinking it will come loose, then instead of cutting off at the knot, I do what you said and thread back under the 4- 5 threads or the line above, this hides my knot and makes me feel more secure!!

I also run the end under 4 or 5 stitches, but I never knot it. I've never had a piece come loose yet, even on stuff that's been washed often. Hope that helps.

I never use knots. I have never had any stitches come undone either. If I am a little concerned about that I will run the thread under f or 5 stitches the come back a run it under a couple of more.

Thankyou all for your help, if I get brave enough I may try that I am too chicken at the moment

Thanks for the link Serinde, it helps to explain what you are all talking about on this thread in easier terms for me as it's all written down, will have another look when iv'e woken up a bit and hopefully the info will sink in regarding looping etc

Collette wrote:Aaaw gawd, you guys have lost me completely on this thread, can't you tell im new to cross stitching still

How do I avoid finishing with a knot on the back of my work? For example, when I put a new piece of thread through the fabric to begin work I hold a little thread with my finger until I have stitched a few stitches to hold it in place, although I don't know how to cut off the thread at the end of stitching without doing a knot, so it doesn't come undone, as I am done stitching, if that makes sense!! Completely understand if it doesn't!

Collette you just end the same way you start! Stitch until you have just enough length to run the thread under a few stitches you have already done and then cut the rest off. It will stay in place just as your starting thread stays in place.

I never knot. I run the thread under three or four stitches, then under the last stitch again and then under a few more. Just doing that loop half way along makes sure it holds really well.

I use the loop start and have a piece of ribbon in my kit that's exactly 1m long, which I use to measure out each length. That way I know I'll get eight even lengths from each skein of DMC.

If I'm using colour variations or overdyed, I use two strands together and then use the more fiddly oversewing method of starting off.

It's just a case of finding what works best for you. We all have our favourite ways of working

I want to try the loop start method (it sounds so neat, and the backs of my designs are so messy), but I don't quite understand. If I make the loop, does that mean I can't stitch one-over-one any more? I don't know why I'm having so much trouble with this concept.

Loop starts only work when stitching with an even number of threads.. generally 2, and the same color. Loop starts don't work with a blended needle.
When I am stitching with 1 thread, I leave a long tail and stitch over it with the first few stitches I make.

Oh, okay. I guess I will not be trying loop starts until I start a new project, then. Thanks, Maggie.