That's about all you can do. On the very rare occasion that I do "park" my floss I bring it to the front and away from the area that I am stitching. I park two at the very most. It becomes too messy for me otherwise. When the colors are very close then marking them as you said is an excellent idea. I have never thought to do that. I love this forum - nice people and always new ideas on improving our hobby.

Thank you Texas Stitcher. I had never thought about bringing the threads FORWARD! Another good idea! I make little paper tags 1-1/2 inch with the thread # & symbol on it. Then I tape the thread to it when I have to "hold" it for a few stitches later. When the shades are close that is very helpful. But I will try bringing them forward instead---that way you can "watch" them better.

I'm going to stick my neck out and ask that if you have only a few stitches of one specific color to do and then have to skip 2-3 of a different color, then come back to the ORIGinal color, why you can't just stitch the same color you're using to stitch as many of the squares with the same symbol horizontally. My understanding you can skip up to 4-5 squares .... or have I completely lost the understanding of what you are trying to do and go take my medication....

Nothing shows on the front, but you lose some tension if you go too far. The floss is cbeap. Why not consider the wild idea of wasting some? I got tired of trying to use all those ends & little pieces years ago. Except for main colors you will still have a lot of skeins for your stash.

KITS NOT INCLUDED!

Thanks for your comments Bermuda. Sometimes I do carry the stitches 3-4 if possible as needed. And I agree--I throw out small pieces---it's not worth the time & frustration of re-threading the needle---ugh!But this pattern is hard. It is under Animals---In the Wild entitles "Getaway" . ALOT of shades of the same colors and changes VERY often.. I'm sure I'll need help with this one in the future so look for future posts!! Appreciate your response.

To Bermuda & jlhewes---thank you for your comments. It's not your med's Bermuda---Funny!! It's my poor way of explaining myself. I do carry the stitches over a few when needed. I also agree on throwing out small pieces---it's not worth the time & frustration of re-threading the needle.--ugh! I will be working on a piece called "Getaway"---It's under Animals, In The Wild. LOTS of similar colors and they change OFTEN!! I'm thinking I'll be posting more HELP chats so keep your eyes open. I may not get started til Fall or Winter---too nice to stay indoors in MN in the summer! Thanks again.

Wow!!! Those leaves are really going to be a mind blower. It will be beautiful when finished and I see what you mean about all the similar colors. It looks like a good "winter project" for MN when the snow comes and stays. Have fun and keep us posted as you move along on this project.
cheryl

clpatt123---Thanks for the "empathy" --LOL! I hope I'm up to the challenge. I'll need a cheerleader at some point---but I am looking forward to doing it. I had done a crosstitch for my daughter called "Through A Mother's Eyes" and gave it to her on her 12th anniversary. (It took about 500 hours over 5 months & 30,0000 stitches) It was a picture of a Mother fixing her daughter's veil on her wedding day--looking at her daughter in the mirror and seeing her as a "little girl". She cried!! After gathering her emotions, about 3 sentences later she said---"What are you going to do for the boys??" She knows I try to treat them as equally as possible. THUS---for one son "Getaway" for the other son "Alaska" both from EVERYTHING CROSS STITCH. I am hoping & praying my eyes hold out to do these two. Thanks again for your comment.

Bermuda, I do not park as a rule but will park until I have finished with another color in the immediate area to keep from having too much weaving going on. Especially if the parked color only requires a stitch or two. I then run it under the already stitched area and continue. It's rare and depends on the circumstances. As the saying goes "I play it by ear". Some areas look almost padded when there are too many color changes. I haven't figured out how to avoid that "look" yet.

I don't save small pieces of floss. It looks worn somehow after I stitch with it.

Texas Stitcher---you are right---too many carry overs of thread does make it pucker or give a padded appearance. I've had some trouble with that. Thanks for your comments.