let's take a skein of pearl cotton which is a popular needlepoint thread and show how to cut it first push the labels of the skein towards the middle this will leave you with one end of the skein that has two loops you will cut these two loops when cutting the second loop be sure to cut the knot before you cut the full loop in order to get all of the threads now pull a single thread from the loop on either end of the skein when you pull it out completely you will see that your thread is an ideal length for stitching this cutting method is also beneficial because it will keep your labels with your threads in case you run out of this color occasionally you will need to apply threads with your needle point we will use splendor as an example of how to apply thread since it's a 12 ply thread cut the thread to your preferred length next tap the edge of the thread as you tab you will see the individual threads show themselves you can also pinch two parts of the thread and push them towards each other this will reveal three groups of threads each one of these groups has four plies of thread within it separate one group from the others and hold it between two fingers while pulling the thread through you will have now applied out four threads from the twelve if needed you can again tap the end of the thread to reveal the for individual plies