Tutorial: Away knot

KERRYKATIECAKES shows us how to begin our stitching with an away knot (aka waste knot). She says,

The ends of your threads are not going to show up as shadows on the front of your work since they run directly underneath your stitching on top. Cross stitchers and other counted thread stitchers often use the away knot for this reason but it is a good practice for all embroiderers since it makes for a neater back and no shadows on the front.

See the tute.