4 of the strands are laid right hand, the other 4 strands go the other way. IIRC, right lay goes under right lay, etc. Helps to tape the ends of the strands with different colors for right and left. Yes, the stuff is different from 3 strand and you need to develop a new skill. I think the danger is thinking it's like 3 strand, and then treating it the same way. It's different, and needs to be treated differently.