Attaching the thread

Starting the thread on a bare hook with a jam knot.

Hold the tag end of the thread above and behind the hook, the bobbin below. Lay the thread against the shank and wrap it over itself, away from you, three or four times towards the bend. The turns bind the tag end and lock themselves: this is the jam knot.

Trim the tag end close and you have a firm base to tie onto.

Common mistakes

Patterns that use it