OK I've tried to draw it.
Do not overthink the details of these diagrams. Consider the difference between using a knot to hold the thread vs. using friction.
Friction is often a better, more robust solution. There are many ways to start sewing. Just overlap your stitches, back-stitch a few times until you feel it will not slide out.
@futurebird @Anke @va2lam @bucknam
So lovely.
Sewing is an alien art for me, I envy you. I won't start now, but I see this as a wonderful Taoist case study!
Let the material decide how it wants to be treated. The knot is my external will, clumsily imposed on the thread; the friction loop is the inner nature of the thread, gracefully doing what it does, skillfully aligned with my needs.
I love the drawing too!