Start by cutting the length that you require for your project. You don’t want to start with too much thread as it will get tangled as you embroider. A lot of people tend to do the length from their fingers to their elbow, this gives you a manageable amount of thread to use.

If you think two strands is a good amount for your project, then pull the thread apart at the top, taking 2 strands in one hand and 4 in the other. You can then simply pull the strands away from each other, and this will split your thread in two.