I do counted cross stitch and this is how I avoid knots. Take your length of thread and fold in half, matching ends evenly. Now, grasp your length of thread at the fold, wet if necessary to make it stick together. Insert folded end into needle, pull thread thru needle leaving folded end as your tail. Now, insert needle thru back of fabric, pull threads thru, leaving loop of folded end at back of fabric, make your stitch and bring needle to back of fabric, pick up loop of thread on your needle and pull thru to tighten. You know have a knotless knot. I wish I could just show you, it's very simple.