An S-twist thread will make a Z-twist cord and a Z-twist thread will make an S-twist cord.

Select the base thread you wish to use. A #12 perle makes a nice twisted cord for scissors fobs. For something larger, such as finishing a box or edging a wall hang-ing, try #8 perle. I prefer to use six strands of my base thread as it is an easy number to work with. For a thicker cord I usually change to a thicker base thread.

Cut six strands of base thread 3 times the finished length you need. For example, if you need 10” of finished cord begin with 30” of base thread. Tie an overhand knot in both ends of the strands.

Have someone hold one knotted end or attach firmly to a kitchen knob or cup hook.

Attach a twisting devise to the free knot.
A twisting device can be a pencil, a small hand drill with a cup hook inserted in the end, or a small hand mixer with a slow speed.

Keeping the strands taut, turn the knob so the strands twist in a clockwise [counterclockwise] direction until the strands begin to kink in the middle. Still keeping

the strands as taut as possible, have someone grab the middle of the strands and pull down as you bring the two knotted ends together. Keep the strands taut while you do this!

When the knotted ends are together, have the person holding the middle slowly re-lease it, letting the strands twist around each other. The twisting needs to be con-trolled to keep it even along the length of the twist. Stroking along the length of the cord helps keep or smooth kinks out.

When the strands have finished twisting around each other, tie the two knotted ends together just inside the knots. Cut the two original knots off the cord.

The cord can now be used for many different projects. Just remember the ends must always be secured in some way as the cord will untwist if they aren’t.

Measure out half the proper length and the correct number of strands of two different colors. For example, if you need a 10” twisted cord measure out 15” of each color and the desired number of strands of each. Tie a knot in one end of each color.

Tie the loose ends to each other to create a cord twice as long - i.e. in the example your would now have a cord approximately 30” long. Now treat the tied together strands as a single strand.