Cross stitch
Starting and finishing threads
Clean starts and clean finishes make the back of your work as neat as the front.
The waste knot
Tie a small knot and bring your needle up a few stitches ahead of where you want to start. Stitch over the tail as you go, then snip the knot off once it's secured.
Finishing off
Weave the tail under four or five stitches on the back of your work, then trim. Avoid pulling too tight or the front of those stitches will dimple.
