Help! Something is going on and I can't figure it out.
 

I could only get a blurry picture but this is what is happening.
The needle appears to pick up an extra loop and instead of stitching brings 3 threads to the surface. And of course breaks.
This pic is from my juki but it also happens with my Janome. Any ideas?
I've always just stopped and rethreaded everything, but I don't know what's causing it.
Tension, timing? Karma?

Are you sure the machines are threaded correctly? I have had this happen when fixing up vintage machines, and I believe it was always caused by me making a mistake in how that particular machine needed to be threaded.

Yes, I have also had this happen when I have inserted the bobbin incorrectly or when the bobbin thread has not 'caught' the thread guide.

Besides checking the top threading be sure the bobbin is wound correctly and loaded in correctly.

I have had this on my dsm. I think the top thread gets looped around the needle before I start sewing

incorrect threading or bobbin insertion was always my problem on my 401 and 2662.

Check that you're using the right needle/thread combo, and check that the needle is appropriate for your machine. I was having a ridiculous amount of issues on my brother pq 1500s and it turns out, it just didn't like superior brand needles, once I put in an organ brand needle, it was happy. I was having thread breaks, tangles, needle breaks etc. It was more frustrating than I can say!

To add, it would be fine for a while, then I'd notice it skip a stitch or two, then all hell would break loose. Always a good time. Does your manual have a troubleshooting guide?

It is SOOOOO frustrating. I'll try it all again. AND I put in a new needle just because......

Not just a new needle, if I had just put a new superior needle in (in fact I did), it wouldn't have solved it.