I thought about this thread last night when I was doing some hand sewing. I pay close attention that I thread the needle from the piece of thread that comes off the spool - not the cut end. To make sure I don't get them confused, I try not to cut the thread until the needle is threaded. If you thread the needle with the end that is cut, the twist of the thread goes against its natural flow and you will find more knots and breakage.