Just do as the pattern suggests. Start in the upper left corner and work 1 page at a time. Some do it by the 10 x 10 stitch blocks. I work the whole page starting with a color that has quite a bit of stitching to give you a reference. Then I fill in with the colors where the stitches are scattered here and there. Whatever works best for you. I am currently working on Fall Trees II by Mystic Stitch. Just celebrated it's 3rd birthday of working on it. Still a long way to go, but it is looking beautiful. Good luck!

Hello all! Previous message was my first post. Been reading and enjoying all of the comments for several years, but never posted anything. Wanted to be counted as one of the men that like to crossstitch. Been stitching for about 30 years off and on.

Hi, I'm Barb. Do Not Ever do just 10x10 and then stop!! But DO take it 10x10 at a time. I saw a piece brought into an shop once.... she worked each page to the end, then quit and worked another page.... we could see from yards away where she'd stopped and started. Please remember to keep going though your chart. I always go to the local store and get an enlargement or copy to mark on where I'm going or where I've been.. I love the design....would never do it, but I respect all who would!!!!

WELCOME BRUCE. So, where did you go to high school? I hate being asked that. (It is a big St. Louis thing, there has even been a book about St. Louis titled -- WHERE DID YOU GO TO HIGH SCHOOL?")

I always reply Henry Ford. One time someone said --"you are from Detroit" Yes, I know that I answered.

Anyhow, I have been here in St. Louis for 14 years. I live in West County. xstitcher lives in the area but I have never connected with her. Where are you? Any other St. Louisans out here?

Just checked out the trees that you are working on. MAGNIFICENT!

Nancy, I went to high school in northern Illinois. Moved to St. Louis when I was about 26. Have lived for the last 12 years downtown. Eight block walk to work everyday. Love it.

Love the Mystic Stitch patterns. A LOT of stitching, but you end up with a real piece of artwork. I'm using 3 strands DMC on 14 ct. Aida. Instructions said to use 2 strands but I thought that too much fabric showed through, so I ripped it out and started again with 3 strands. I prefer the real dense look, like a tapestry. It is all personal preference.

If a color continues on to the next page, I will stitch beyond the page at times so as to avoid the line that can appear between pages when stopping at the same place. My pattern has so many individual stitches scattered around of a color that I don't think it is a real issue. Never having posted before and now I have gotten really chatty. Sorry for running on!

Thanks guys! I'm starting the Potted Gnome which has TONS of black background! So if your cross stitch, Bruce, has taken 3 years so far, then I better not plan to give the gnome to a friend in a few months!!! I appreciate the feedback! Glad you love Mystic Stitch, I was beginning to wonder about it.

And Barb, thanks for the tip on copying the chart...I've reduced it to a controllable size, so am feeling more in control. And Bruce, Fall Trees II, yikes!

Bruce -- I understand that there a lot of young professionals living in the downtown area. Your commute is great. Lots of things going on down there. Not my cup of tea but variety is wonderful.

Bruce welcome to our chat room and posting. Come back often and post. I enjoy hearing from any men who do cross stitching. I always make 2 copies of my projects. One is for taping together and posting on my design wall and the other is for marking on while I am stitching. That way my original is always clean. I also stitch all over a section as I am stitching so that you do not see starting and stopping points as in doing 10 x 10 blocks.

This is a really cute pattern. I am a big fan of Mystic Stitch and have many of them. If I were doing this project I would use black fabric rather than spend all of the time stitching in all the black background. Whenever I have a project with a that much background stitching I use the fabric that matches it the best so I don't have to spend so much time filling in the background. That is just the way I do it. I know everyone has their own way of doing it. That is what is so nice about stitching - the "stitching police" will not come after you. LOL

Thanks so much for the tips! I am using #18 Aida in Black and will have to figure out the left side of the Gnome pot as Black is used for shadows but I think I can draw it out free hand. Also am sewing grid lines in first and taking them out after I'm finished. I've never worked with #18 Aida before....it sure is small! Need my bifocals to work on this one!