Starting to Stitch

Thread your needle with about 18" [45.7 cm] of yarn. Do not tie a knot in the end. Bring your needle up through canvas from the back, leaving a short length of yarn on back side of canvas. As you begin to stitch, work over this piece of yarn. If you are beginning with continental stitches, leave a 1" [2.5 cm] length on back of canvas, but if you are working longer stitches, leave a longer length.