I hand quilt. If I can't find hand quilting thread which is coated in the colors I want, I buy 100% cotton quilting thread and run each piece thru my beeswax circle, usually a couple of times. Also am careful to knot the end that comes off the spool last. Also keep each piece to about 18 inches long. One of the tricks I have found that works for me is, after every time I load the needle with stitches and pull it thru the fabric, I move the thread that is in the eye just a little so the same spot does not take the strain over and over. When I am careful to do that, I seldom have any knotting or breaking problems.

I'm with Mad. Thread the needle with the loose end and there won't be any problems, unless your needle is damaged.

Which end of the thread to knot? I learned to always knot the first end off the spool, and did that faithfully until I started using Connecting Threads cotton thread--I have to knot the trailing end of that to avoid knots! Made in India, maybe it's twisted in reverse, or wound onto the spool from the opposite end? I'll try looking at it with a magnifying glass tomorrow, when my vision's better than at night.

I hand piece and hand quilt and only use YLI thread.

Maybe you're cutting your thread too long. When I have that happen, that is the reason.

I hand quilt and I use coats & Clark hand quilting thread. I tried Gutermans and found it to be horrible. If you can find it Americana is the best I've ever used. All my opinion, of course. No offense to those that love Gutermans. I think that maybe their machine thread is made better.