--------------------------------------------------------
  How to Keep the Thread From Twisting and Knotting
--------------------------------------------------------


Separate the floss into individual strands, and then recombine them.  There is
less twisting and knotting, and the stitches lie flatter.  To separate a
thread from the others, hold onto the top end of the thread between your thumb
and forefinger.  Pull down on it with the other thumb and forefinger, taking
all the other threads with you. It looks like a knot will form, but have
faith. Everything comes out just fine.

Run each separated strand of floss over a damp sponge just before using it.
This makes the floss lie much smoother and flatter.  Remember, some fibers,
such as silk, should not be dampened.

If you know which direction you tend to twist the needle, give it a little
bit of a twist the opposite direction after each stitch.

Try threading the needle with the "right" end of the floss.  See section "2.10
The Right End of the Floss" for more information.

Let the thread dangle every so often and untwist it.

From kdyer@llnl.gov (Kathleen Dyer)...

   If you use the stab method, rather than the sewing method...
   On the top half of the cross stitch (the lower half is not as likely to
   twist), pull the needle and thread through to the front to start the stitch
   in the usual manner. Then put the tip of the needle between the two threads
   right where they come through the fabric so that the needle is pointing in
   the direction it needs to go to complete the stitch, and take it over to
   finish the stitch.


      Where the needle is going to go to complete the stitch.
            |
            |
           \|/

            o         //
                     //
                    //     <--- first half stitch
                   //
                  //
                 //
                //
               //
              //     \     <--- needle tip
             //       \
            //         \---------
                      / \        \
                     /   \       |     <--- thread
                    |     \      |
                    |      \     |
                    |       \    |
                    |        O    \
                    |        ||    \
                    |        ||     \
                     \       ||      \-----------\
                      ---------------------------\
                             ||                  ||
                             ||                  ||
                             ||                  ||
                              \\----------------//
                                ----------------