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Hello, I am a complete newby to cross stitch (or any kind of needlework actually!). The project I am working on is with 4 strands of thread (so I am using two doubled over). I am finding it is taking me almost as long to separate the strands from the skein as it is to actually stitch with them. If I just try to pull them apart they go into a big tangle - is there a special knack to this or should I just develop some patience while I untwist?

Also (having bought Jane Greenoff's book) in the Cross Stitch Bible she says to separate the strands and then "realign them". Does this mean that I have to put a twist in again or should they lie parallel to each other?

I didn't think what I though would be simple things would get technical! Any advice would be much appreciated.

It can be a bit tricky at times and ends up in a total knot

There's not a right or wrong way to separate the strands you do what works best for you.

For me I separate how ever many strands I need at one end and let the other end lay in my lap then just slowly pull, if it starts to twist/ knot I put the bit that's in my lap in my mouth ( higher up the better) damp cotton don't seem to twist as much I have noticed. Better way to explain is, imagine this as your thread

Y
One hand on top left one hand top right, if it knots I put the thread where (V) meet in my mouth to help

You know I have just realised why people laugh at me when I do this lol

When you thread your needle there's no need to retwist that will happen on it's own when you start to stitch
I think when it says to "realign" them basically means to have the ends at same level so ones not longer than the other, which I'm sure you are doing cause if your using 2 strand doubled over to make 4, your needle will be in the middle. Which would make the ends all the same.

I hope this helps and I haven't just confused you more

I think that someone posted a video of an easy way to do this......I will have a look around and see if I can find it.

ETA: Found it! CF posted this a while back, scroll down and there is a link to the video http://www.crossstitchforum.com/viewtop ... f=3&t=8792" target="_blank

I love seeing/hearing how people do techniques their own way. I've always separated out the 1 or 2 strands from the skein and held them between my finger and thumb on my right, have the remainder of the skein in my left hand and then run the threads through my lips to keep the tension. If that makes sense

I hold the top of the thread firmly between the thumb and index finger of my left hand, with a little sticking out at the top; then with my right hand I separate out one strand and pull it straight up, while holding the rest of the thread firmly. The single strand should come out quite easily while the rest bunches up underneath your left thumb and index finger -- don't panic, this is normal and restores itself easily after the strand has been pulled free.

I seperate my threads the same as Mabel does.

When they say to re-align. I think they are talking about making the 2,3 or 4 strands are all lined up on the end that you are threading through the eye of the needle.

I take the skein, cut the length I want, then seperate at the tip the amount of threads, be it 2 or 4 or whatever, then I hold the ends (where I just seperated it) in one hand (hand 1) the the full part in the other (hand 2), keeping my fingers close to the seperated part, then gradually move hand one backwards down the length, while using my forefinger in and thumb on hand 1 to pull apart the chosen threads from the rest of the length as it moves down.
It's really easy this way and no tangles and they are still together, so no need to realign.


I have a really poor video of it, me seperating 2 strands out from the 4 I had left from previously. I tried to take it myself on my phone and couldn't see what I was taking!
If you want to get a better view tell me and I'll get hubby to video me doing it.

Seperating threads

Don't worry - just cut a piece of floss about 18 inches long. You actually want to break this down into 6 separate threads that you will then lay back together. Once the threads are separated and you have rejoined them, you can easily pull apart whatever thread count you want on your project. (The reason you separate them, is to get the most lovely coverage you can out of the threads.)

Now don't worry about separating the threads. You and the threads are going to be friends. Just lightly and slowly separate the threads...one at a time or three at a time...whatever feels good. They are beautiful fibers and want to be separated, put in a needle, and stitched. This is just you and your materials--find out what works best for you, and don't worry if you are "doing it right".

The biggest part of doing needlework is getting to know your materials and learn what they and you can do together. Separating the floss is a great ice breaker. Have fun and enjoy!!

The way I have always done this is to cut off the length I need then pinch one end very tightly between my knees then holding the other end seperate how many threads you need in your right hand from the others in your left then pull away in a Y motion until you have your threads seperated. Sometimes I have needed to relax knees and replace thread then continue to get all the threads seperated, but sometimes it can be done in one motion if slow enough. Hope this helps. I can imagine people laughing now lol, no seriously use your knees hee hee.

I do the same as rose, and mabel.

My second blog in my signature line has a great little tute on how to "strip" the threads so as not to get any knots.

I hold the end of the pieces I"m pulling out in between my thumb and index finger and the rest of the strangs with my other fingers on the same hand. I then slide my index finger down between the two slowly so I can keep tension as I separate them out.

I also separate my threads the way Mabel does. I don't get knots doing it this way and its relatively speedy.