How to pull embroidery floss from a skein without knotting

I learned this quite a while ago, along with the fact that floss has a ‘grain’ and to use the yarn in the correct direction when stitching. It will cause less friction, which can wear away the thread.

Thank you so much! Spent so much time untangling knots.

Like others who have posted, I’m thanking you for this great tip.

I pill out the embroidery yarn, grabbing the 2 ends and measure out approximately 2ft , fold that length back and forth to the end. Cut both ends and make a short braid in the middle and pass one end through the middle of the braid. I have used this method for 75 years. Never any mess.

There used to be a picture on the long paper end showing you how to remove the thread correctly.
I am amazed that nobody ever discusses determining the grain of the thread – if the thread is pulled out properly from the long end it will be on grain. If the thread is on grain when you pull it through your fingers it will feel smooth and if it’s not it will feel rough. When pulling out individual threads (blossoming) it is important to keep it on grain when putting the thread back together for stitching. You will also notice the thread doesn’t pull apart or shorten when pulling through your fabric if it’s on grain.

Seems like I’m in the same boat as everyone else, I didn’t know that either, and oh over the years I’ve had some brilliant tangles to sort out. Thought it went with the territory and to be put up with. Won’t any more though. Thanks for the tip!

FINALLY! I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS INFORMATION since 1957!
I CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH

Good to know! I have been stitching for many years and never knew this. Thanks for being a great resource.

Thank you so much for sharing this tip. I can’t wait to try it! I have tangled lots of skeins over the years!

You made my day!!!!! I have been stitching for many many years and never knew this. If you next to me you would ONE GREAT HUG!!!!!! I am trying it today.
I will make sure I read you more often.
And I thought I knew it all…….!!! Have a super day. Colette

I’ve never known why one skein was easier to unravel, as I have cardboard bobbins to wind my threads on. So, thanks for the solution!

Thanks so much for that tip! I’m 63 and retired and enjoy embroidering tea towels. Can’t wait to try that out.

My grandmother explained to remove the paper wrap and put the whole thread pkg over one wrist through the pkg center. Start with the end of the floss from either end if you do remember to be sure this is non twisted over your wrist……. it works every time…..

I, too, didn’t know that. I cannot wait to do this!! I’m 63 and have been really stitching since I was 19.

Thank you so much. I have spent more time in my life than I care to remember unknotting embroidery thread. I am very grateful for the time you are saving me in the future.

I am 71 years old and have been using DMC for more than 50 years and I did not know that. Thank you for the great tip. You have just made my life a tiny bit easier. Thank you again.

THANK YOU! I have been doing NP for well over 50 years, and NEVER could remember which end to pull 😖. LOGO-end for DMC (which is ALL I’ve ever used!). THANK U😍

Now if we could just get the yarn companies to do the same!

Great to know, never knew this and had all these tangled threads. Happy stitching

Count me among those who didn’t know. I have some very old DMC floss and one of the paper bands actually says to “pull from this end.” Wonder why they discontinued making it?

I’m 58 and didn’t know that! I’ve been a textile teacher all my life too. Thanks for the advice.

Tthanks. This is my favorite craft since a little girl .Never knew this. I also like to pull thread through bobbin of wax.

I didn’t know that ….. thanks for sharing that great tip!

I am 68 a nd did not know this

Awesome! I never knew that and I always ended up with a giant mess.