Here we go!

[fccs]

I watch a lot of British TV and one thing I've learned that seems to be sacrosanct is that anything can be made right with a nice cup of tea.

[Mabel Figworthy]

one thing I've learned that seems to be sacrosanct is that anything can be made right with a nice cup of tea.

Absolutely true

Genevieve, I tend to use a very thin (lightweight) calico as backing, and usually that's OK. You're right that pulling 4 strands through can be quite hard on your hands and wrists (not to mention your needle and fabric) but a little trick might help: Cut your thread twice as long, and thread two strands. Pull them through the eye of the needle until the four ends are together, then embroidery with that. The problem when using four strands in the ordinary way is that you are really trying to pull through eight strands plus the thickness of the needle's eye!

Unfortunately this only works for even numbers of strands, but I've found it definitely lessens the strain on my hand & wrist.