Neater Backing?

[sharayah]

I have trouble getting a very neat back to my projects. Is there a better way to start a new thread than with a knot? Also, what different ways are there to tie it off? I usually loop and knot it, but it makes icky lumps :/
Thanks!

[blackberrybear]

Don't knot the thread. Run the end underneath the other stitches to start and stop.

[blackmageheart]

blackberrybear's tip is a good one, it's a tidy and neat way of doing it

Also, if you use two strands, you can do this: Have one long strand, put the ends together so that you have a U shape, thread the ends through the needle as you would for two strands. Start your stitch by bringing the thread up through the aida, leaving a small loop. Bring your thread down through the next hole as normal, and also put the needle through the loop you left. Pull gently and it'll tighten up, staying secure but with no knots! Then carry on stitching as normal
I hope that made sense, I'm not very good at explaining it. One day I'll do pictures of it, heh.
It only really works when you want an even number of strands, though, so if you want one or three etc, blackberrybear's tip is the way to go

Hope that helped!

EDIT: Oh and to tie them off, just do what blackberrybear said: run them under the other stitches.

[sharayah]

This helped a ton, thanks!

[Eliste]

People always tell me i have super neat backs, but its just because i hate wasting thread.
Beyond the first few stitches in a piece, I start mine by running it behind stitches as well as finishing them that way. I occasionally will add in a back stitch through the back of previous stitches if I want to give it more strength but usually, running it under the stitches is enough if you don't tug super hard in your first stitch.

[sharayah]

People always tell me i have super neat backs, but its just because i hate wasting thread.
Beyond the first few stitches in a piece, I start mine by running it behind stitches as well as finishing them that way. I occasionally will add in a back stitch through the back of previous stitches if I want to give it more strength but usually, running it under the stitches is enough if you don't tug super hard in your first stitch.

I tried out the new way of starting, and I really like it--using the one strand and doubling it over for the loop thing. I do worry a bit about the strength of just running the end when I finish under stitches. Does it hold really well? I'll end up stitching the end down anyway, but it does worry me. But I enjoy not doing knots any more.

[Eliste]

It holds just fine. In fact, you'll probably find that your last stitch will lie better than it does with knots. With knots there is necessarily a lack of tension (in ordere for you to tie it) where if you run the stitches undere other stitches you can pull it taught. This gives a more even look to your stitching. If you're concerned about it staying, do a back stitch in the other threads and you'll find it holds just fine.

[Dulahey]

Do you all still use the loop method when you're just stitching a small area or what about individual spots? When you cut your thread you end up cutting it in half everytime you're done in an area. Seems like as you cut it in half a few times, if you don't have any more small areas to do, you're going to waste more thread than normal.

[sharayah]

Do you all still use the loop method when you're just stitching a small area or what about individual spots? When you cut your thread you end up cutting it in half everytime you're done in an area. Seems like as you cut it in half a few times, if you don't have any more small areas to do, you're going to waste more thread than normal.

I use the loop method still, I've been finding it to be very good. But the piece I'm working on right now has a ton of single stitches on their own, so having this method is more secure and wastes less thread than what I've found when I do regular knots--the knot takes up more room than the loop. I've also enjoyed not making knots. And I always wrap extra thread back around the bobbin, because eventually, I'll use the colour again whether it be this project or the next.

[Dulahey]

Oh I totally agree its better than knots. I've never used knots and never will. I was comparing to threading the ends under other stitches.