When I was doing cross stitch I learned how to start without a knot. Take one long strand of thread- double it over. Thread the needle either with the two loose ends or the doubled over end. Take your needle up through your fabric leaving the doubled over end under your fabric. Come back down through the fabric and insert your needle through the doubled over end. Draw up your thread. You have just secured your thread. I hope someone can understand this. Ending my thread I take one small stitch and on the back just weave it through the other threads. Does anyone understand this?