...it may be required to create narrative thread (4)
I believe the answer is:
yarn
'thread' is the definition.
(synonyms)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for yarn that I've seen before include "that'll keep you in stitches?" , "Sort of tale" , "Anecdote" , "Tale; weave" , "Spun fibre" .)