4 Different Ways to Start a Cross Stitch Thread | Caterpillar Cross Stitch

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

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[@candacebex4370]

My favorite method when I can't loop start AND I've already stitched in stitches all around is just to weave in nearby stitches to start.

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Hi Candace, thank you so much for watching - that's definitely a great way to start the thread too! I've been lately trying to start my stitches from the top of my fabric so I don't have to turn the hoop but when there's an opportunity, weaving on the back is a great way of both starting and ending a thread. Thank you so much for sharing and happy stitching 🌸 Marie

[@kalkeegan]

Just tried the pin stitch for the first time and it HAS CHANGED MY WHOLE WAY OF STARTING! I think I should actually thank YT algorithm for leading me here (the only time I will thank YT) Can't wait to binge your content!

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

We’re so glad the video has helped you ☺️ pin stitch definitely is a game changer 👏 Hope you enjoy the rest of the tutorials & happy stitching 🌸 Marie

[@laviniatouchton]

This was so helpful! I've been cross-stitching for years, and waste knots always worked well for me. However, I've just started my first blackwork project, so I'm using a single strand all the time and many of my usual tricks don't work! I really appreciate the quality of your video and your explanations - thank you for sharing!

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thank you so much for watching Lavinia, we're so happy you're finding the videos helpful! 💕 We've recently released videos on Backstitching and Stitching with one strand you might also find useful for your current project 😊 Happy stitching 🌸 Marie

[@MsGabmc]

Thanks for all these great tips - I usually run my thread under and 'catch' it but I might have to to try the loop method

[@marthaabstein6046]

This was wonderful. I loved that there are 4 different ways to start a thread. I am always having trouble when I have to use only one thread and you gave some great examples. Thank you.

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thank you so much for watching Martha, so glad this was helpful ☺️ Happy stitching 🌸 Marie

[@melaniecall]

I love the loop for two threads …. I’ll have to try it for one thread too! I use a pin stitch too … but leave the tail in the back of fabric vs clipping it from front. Great video!

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thank you so much for watching Melanie, I'm so glad you found it helpful 😊 I try to minimise the amount of times I need to turn the hoop so I try to clip off on the top of the fabric but that's entirely a personal preference, works perfect both ways 😊 Happy stitching 🌸 Marie

[@unascraftycards9117]

Super video. I learned so much. Thank you, Marie.

[@bratmamma]

Thanks. I learned new methods👍❤️

[@lyndapinfold8796]

thank you, lots of new ideas there

[@angielindsey7390]

Hello, new subscriber here from Iowa in the USA. Thank you for sharing these things. I definitely learned quite a bit. 🦋❤️🦋

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thanks for subscribing! Happy to have you here :)

[@rorygiambalvo2955]

I've been doing a modified loop start for single thread that ends up with double thickness for that first half stitch. I'm super happy to find another way that fixes that issue!

[@cepelovakatka]

Great video,finally understand how to do the pin stitch. Thank you 💜

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thank you so much for watching Katerina, so happy you learned something new 😊 Happy stitching 🌸 Marie

[@Lorielsmith]

I’m fairly new to cross stitching and I love all of these ideas! I’m going to start using the loop start!

[@ellenbeallstratton]

Outstanding Job! You are perfect for tutorials!

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thank you so much for watching Ellen and for your kind words 💕 Happy stitching 🌸 Marie

[@Mariegilbert12345]

really nice. And like your aida cloth. nicer than mine!

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thanks for watching!

[@moniqueroberge21]

Thank you so much< I am new to cross Stitch so this was extremely helpful

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thank you so much for watching Monique, I'm so glad to hear it was helpful. Happy stitching 🌸 Marie

[@kathleenpatterson3963]

Thank you😊

[@EdGreenberg]

Very good tutorial. One method I have used is a combination of the quilters knot and loop start. Tie a quilters knot, as small as you can, maybe just one turn around the needle, and instead of using the size of the knot to hold the thread in the hole, use the loose end of the thread with the knot as a loop. Now come up from the back and back down, then go through the two strands, just as if it was a loop. Snug it up along the back of the square, then come up from the back and either cross the stitch or start the one next to it.

[@lorriehemerly7526]

Thank you, great tutorial!

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thank you so much for watching Lorrie, glad you enjoyed it! 😊 Happy stitching 🌸 Marie

[@BernadetteMullin]

very informative, thanks

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Glad it was helpful!

[@misseygallawan4662]

Excellent.

[@SpunkyGirl107]

Great video. I have just started stitching with a single strand and this video was great on how to start using the loop method. Could you do a video on best practices to secure your thread for single and double strands? Thank you.

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Hi Carolyn, thank you so much for watching - glad it was helpful 😊 Thank you for the video idea, I am definitely putting it on my list. In terms of single strand stitching, I'd very much recommend to practice the pin stitch, it's the one method I use when stitching with single strand and it's super easy with a little bit of practice 😊 Happy stitching 🌸 Marie

[@bethallen7384]

Sooooo-ooo-o helpful!!,

[@julesm9081]

Another amazing video!!!!! X

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thank you so much Jules 😊 Happy stitching 🌸 M x

[@sarahgamson8828]

How would you loop stitch with 3 threads? I'm new to cross stitch and all the kits I've currently got seem to be 3 threads x

[@EnlightenedFlamingo]

I have the same question...

[@l.mcmanus3983]

Hi! I only started my first ever cross stitch project a month ago and I came up with and have been using a method that you don’t mention. The project instructions say to use something like the waste away knot method but no knot, just hold the thread at the back and stitch over it. I found this really annoying to keep track of so came up with the idea of simply running my needle with a new thread under previous stitches and leaving the tail under them while coming free right where I want to continue stitching. It has been excellent and secure for large tracts of single colours but also limits where I can start. The other method you mention will be super useful for the more intricate parts. Thanks!

[@l.mcmanus3983]

Oh! One more thing I find helpful! When running my needle behind stitches, I always push the the blunt end with the eye through first. This helps me not pierce either the fabric or other thread accidentally.

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thanks for sharing, these are great tips ☺️ Happy stitching 🌸 Marie

[@wilcommaster]

very nice work❣❣

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thank you so much for watching and happy stitching 🌸 Marie

[@hezvandermeij]

I have a 2 strand threat that's composed of 2 different colours, so my normal loop (which turns 1 strand into 2) start doesn't work. I've heard lots about pin-starts but just didn't know how to, followed along with you in real time and wouldn't you know it! A real secure pin start :)

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

That's great news! We are so pleased to hear it's helped! Thank you for watching!

[@batmanx9996]

When I started cross stitching I just simply stitched over the start tail on the back of the piece, a couple of days ago I started to use the loop method, the only negative part is that I waste a lot of yarn

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Great job!

[@michellelivingston5692]

What method do you suggest when starting with three threads. All I can find is for One or two.

[@suz1046]

Can you please do a video on how to end with the pin stitch over 1 thread?

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Yes will try!

[@logandearborn1478]

Awesome video, but does using the loop start make 2 threads become equal to 4 threads because you fold the string?

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Yes it does!

[@Fritha71]

I get anxious seeing how close to the fabric people cut the tail. I never do that. When loop method is not possible I just leave a small tail at the back and stitch over it two times, sometimes even just one time in thick full coverage pieces on aida. The tail is so short that no cutting is necessary. Quick, easy and no danger of cutting into the fabric or the other threads... And I've yet to have a situation where the stitches are coming undone. But I do stitch in hand or with a small hoop so it's easy for me to work on the back.

[@Gr8tBlueHeron]

I sort of do the waste away knot style, except I don't do a knot. I just flip my piece over and hold the tail with a finger while I do 3 stitches in place. As much as I love the loop method, i prefer putting the loop on my needle so I have no tail to muck about with!

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Fab! Thanks so much for sharing :)

[@Gr8tBlueHeron]

@@CaterpillarCrossStitch since watching this though, I've started now with the downward parking (I just don't bother with the knot) and it makes life SO much easier than holding the tail!

[@TheFansOfFiction]

How would you start a single-thread backstich?

[@jennikillgo]

What’s the best way to start when doing a backstitch? All of these are super helpful, but they only show how to use when actually doing the cross. Am I making sense?

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thank you for your question and for watching! When doing backstitch over existing full stitches, I'd recommend starting your thread by running it behind a couple of stitches on the back of the fabric. If you're doing blackwork type of backstitch (i.e. there are no full stitches beneath our backstitch thread, only fabric), I found a great method you can use - pull your thread through the fabric only half way and stitch until you're at the end. Then thread the other end of the thread and finish stitching with the other half of the thread. That way the thread technically has no beginning, only two ends. Hope that makes sense! Happy stitching 🌸 Marie

[@sazaa1239]

Literally just trying to figure out how to start blackwork backstitch and this makes perfect sense, thank you!

[@haileybaker1383]

The loop method is awesome but I don't know what to do w the tread tails I put through the needle so I don't lose them 😭 should I just knot them so they don't come out of the needle eye??

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thank you so much for watching Hailey! I usually hold the eye of the needle when I pull it to secure the thread in it and stop if from unthreading. You can also try to leave a longer tail or experiment with needles - some have much larger eyes than others. I personally swear by 26 tapestry needle by Bohin. You can knot the thread at the eye and there's nothing wrong with that if nothing else works. However it might be a bit bulky to go through the fabric and as a result the thread and/or the fabric might get a bit damaged. See what works best for your though and then just stick with it, there's no right or wrong way in cross stitch 😊 Happy stitching 🌸 Marie

[@dianelewin3435]

Can I use 2 strands of thread with the Loop method. I know how to use one strand folded in half to make the loop but I'd like to use 2 strands so I don't have to start and stop so often. I am a new cross stitcher.

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Hi Diane, thanks so much for watching! 😊 I would recommend to cut your thread much longer if possible - mine are cut to 1m length so I get 50cm thread after folding it for a loop start. If that's not an option, I would recommend trying out the pin stitch, or you can do a bit of a cheeky loop start method by making a knot at the end of your short lengths but still using it as a loop. It's not ideal and many people would disagree with this but if nothing else works for you then I'd just go with it 😊 Happy stitching 🌸 Marie

[@phyllisreeves1156]

How do you do a confetti stitch with valdani pearl cotton? Thanks

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Hi Phyllis, thank you for watching 😊 I don't really have experience with valdani pearl cotton, I suppose that is stitching with one strand only as it looks thicker that one strand DMC, more like Sulky? Is it a completely stand alone stitch or just a single stitch of one colour with stitches of other colours around? If completely stand alone, I would consider using the loop method for one strand to start the stitch (as shown in the video) and then pin stitch to end the thread. If surrounded by stitches of other colours it gets much easier, there's plenty of options. You could start with pin stitch or single strand loop start, and end the thread by weaving it behind surrounding stitches. We will release ways to end thread next week. Hope this helps! 😊 Happy stitching 🌸 Marie

[@julesm9081]

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