Regarding the thread...
I start with the rope wick cut to size (you could do this last, AFTER untwisting and removing the thread....I'm always too impatient):
Pick at the end to pull a bundle free:
Unwind each bundle, kind of like untwisting a twist-tie. Try to keep track of which end is which....not sure if it matters for rewinding the bundle, but it won't hurt. If your eyes are good, you can see the thread peeking through in this pic:
When you have all bundles unwound, you'll be left with the core bundle and the thread:
Remove the thread, and rewind the bundles. It helps to grasp the first one like this, then with a twist tie type movement you can wrap it back around the core:
One done:
Keep wrapping them around:
Sometimes, one bundle won't line up right because you didn't start it in quite the right spot:
Just tap the errant bundle against a hard surface, kind of like tapping down an analog, to slid them all even:
Almost done:
Done:
Sorry the pics are a bit blurry, did the best I could - you'd think a Galaxy S2 would have a decent camera on it - but my old crap LG had better macro shots...Hope this makes it a bit clearer.
Note: Anecdotal evidence, but the few times I've done this, it seems like it doesn't wick as well as just torching the thread out. Maybe the thread ash helps wick up stuff? Dunno - haven't done a proper test of it yet.
