I recently started my first pearl project using silk and knots. Halfway through my first strand, my silk thread became hopelessly tangled/snagged. I realized too late I needed beeswax to help condition the thread. I've now completed two strands with pretty good results. The key is to remember to wax early and often. It's easy to forget to rewax the thread if one becomes too caught in the knotting process. The wax comes in a cleverly designed wheel with guides in the plastic housing. This design helps secure the thread in a manner that is easy to practice.