Is there a difference?

[i_heart_dot]

Hi all,

I'm relatively new to cross stitching and I have come across for the first time a kit that asks for the strands to be used singularly but doubled - is this not the same as using two strands? Am I going to become unstuck if I use two strands instead of doubling a single strand?

Any advice much appreciated.

Katie

[annastasia76]

It sounds like the same thing to me. It could be that they want you to start with the loop method which is what I just learned and love.

[Rose]

It is the same thing as far as I know.

[Mabel Figworthy]

If you are asked to double up one strand then as annastasia says it is likely to indicate a loop start (thread the two end in your needle, bring the needle up at the beginning of your first stitch but don't pull it all the way through, bring the needle down to complete the first half of your cross stitch, and at the back of the fabric, catch the loop of thread still there, then pull tight and go on stitching)

[JA Fan]

I agree with the previous comments. They are probably encouraging a loop start.
But I'm also wondering whether this is to make sure you keep the strands separate. One mistake a newbie will make is not separating each strand when they withdraw it from the skein. They try to withdraw two at once. Taking out one strand and doubling it will prevent this.
Keeping strands separate and parallel to each other makes for neater stitching, better coverage and less likely to tangle.