How many threads do I need to earn or upgrade a trade?

The threads aren't technically cumulative. You need 5 threads to achieve a trade, 10 additional threads to achieve a specialty and then 15 20 more threads to achieve a mastery of your chosen specialty (yes, you master your specialty, not your general trade). It's 35 threads total to achieve a mastery. And, yes, that means 35 x 3 for a total of 105 threads to achieve three masteries. #longtermgoals

Does this make sense and answer your question...?