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Keeping Floss from Knotting
Sun, Oct 30, 2005 11:54 AM
Posted by Jennifer
Help Fellow Stitchers..

I have a situation. What can I do to keep my floss from knotting while I stitch? I am stumped. I am constantly letting it hang and unwide after every 3-4 stitches and it keeps getting knotted. Is it the quality of the floss maybe? I am using DMC on my project.

What should I do?

  • Reply from Maria S.
    Sunday, October 30, 2005 3:59 PM
    It might be a very simple problem. Your threads may be too long. You should be working with lengths no longer than approx. 18". Some people also dampen their floss a bit too before they stitch. There is a product called Thread Heaven that some people swear by. It comes a a one inch square plastic box tht is a bright blue. Quilt shops seem to carry a lot of those little blue boxes. I hope some of these tips will be of help. Go to top
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    Reply from crosskate
    Saturday, January 14, 2006 5:03 PM
    the bestway i havefound is a little treaseure called thread heaven its a little box about the size of a dice containing thread conditioner just runyour thread through and nomore knots brilliant Go to top
    • Reply from Vonna
      Wednesday, February 22, 2006 8:51 AM
      I second the Thread Heaven! Once you use it, you won't stitch without it. It is WONDERFUL! It also helps in the thread laying flat and even. Excellent product, you can find it at Hobby Lobby.

      Vonna
      Go to top

  • Reply from Inna
    Monday, January 30, 2006 4:10 PM
    another thing to try would be a little beeswax (I am a candlemaker too and I made these tiny little hearts, in natural and black for light and dark colors respectfully.) I have one each of these in all by project bags. you just hold the floss against it and pull through so that it's lightly coated. HTH. Go to top
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    Reply from Za
    Monday, January 30, 2006 9:32 PM
    I use lip gloss or vaseline, but the problem is usually because the thread is too long, or has been stored for ages (over 10 years)

    Regards,

    Leasa
    Cross Stitch by Za
    crossstitchbyza@gmail.com
    http://www.datafurnace.net.au/crossstitchbyza/ Go to top

    • Reply from Mary
      Tuesday, May 9, 2006 6:09 PM
      I can't imagine using anything as greasy as vasoline on any of my cross stitch designs. Why not just cover your hands in vasoline so you wouldn't have to think about coating the floss!

      Go to top

    • Reply from Meari
      Wednesday, June 7, 2006 1:03 PM
      I wouldn't use vaseline or lip gloss on my projects either. I use short lengths (about 10") and don't have problems with tangling. I've had my stash of floss for over 15 years and have no problems. I recently acquired JP threads for my niece (which are much older) and she didn't have problems stitching with it. So I'm not sure age is the problem. Go to top
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    Reply from Lana
    Wednesday, February 15, 2006 10:02 PM
    Something I picked up some time ago was using a Downy (or other) fabric softener sheet. It doesn't leave anything on the thread that you can see or feel but it works & smells nice. Just run your threaded needle through it a few times & see if this helps. Go to top
    • Reply from lael
      Wednesday, February 22, 2006 2:20 PM
      the fabric sheet was the best.after reading this tip I grabed a fabric sheet and it stays by my side as I work on Fish city by stoney creek it has 187 colors
      Help my eyes. Keep the Good tip coming Huggs to all Go to top
  • Reply from Paula
    Wednesday, April 19, 2006 6:58 PM
    Thread Heaven works well when you stitch with metalics as well.Paula Go to top
  • Reply from Trish Hansford
    Tuesday, April 25, 2006 3:40 PM
    Have you tried running your threads through beeswax? I was also told, and this is as long as the threads are not overdyed, you can lightly moisten a sponge and run your threads through the sponge. I use the wax a lot of times but have used the sponge method on metallic threads.

    Happy stitchin'

    Trish Go to top