How many strands of floss to use for cross stitch
DMC floss comes as six strands twisted together. You almost never stitch with all six.
The usual numbers
Two strands on 14-count and 16-count aida. Three strands on 11-count, where the squares are big enough to show fabric through two. One or two on 18-count depending on how solid you want the coverage. Our charts assume two strands on 14-count, and the skein counts in the key are worked out on that basis.
Separating strands
Cut a length of about 18 inches first; longer tangles. Hold the cut end, pull one strand straight up and out while the rest bunches below, let it fall straight, then pull the next. Lay the two strands back together before threading. Separated and recombined strands lie flatter than two pulled off together.
Coverage on dark fabric
Pale floss on black aida shows the fabric through more than dark floss on white. If the coverage looks thin to you on 14-count, three strands is a reasonable choice for the pale colours, and you will use roughly half again as much thread for those colours.
