There is no right or wrong way to do it. It is whatever works best for you. I am currently working on a project that is 21.5" x 28.5" stitched solid with LOTS of confetti. I never even heard of parking until I started reading the posts here. So, no, I don't park when doing a large solid project. I think that I would get the floss all tangled up or not remember what everything is and use the wrong floss. Others on here mention that they use the park method. Try it if you want or not. The cross-stitch police are VERY lenient!

I agree with Bruce. I have been stitching many years and have never used the parking method for 2 reasons. The first is that I am afraid that I will get mixed up and pick up my parked thread and start working the wrong symbol, lol. The second is the more obvious reason that I feel it will become nothing but a tangled mess. I think many stitchers here feel the same way but like Bruce said the cross stitch police are quite lenient. You do what you feel works best for you. I'm sure many of the others will pitch in here to give their thoughts. Happy stitching.

The only time I park is when I'm in the car. Tried "parking" and like "catlover" I'm concerned that I will pick up the wrong needle that and start doing the wrong symbol. The thought of trying to fix that type of "mess" makes me shudder. But I agree, do what you like best and you're most comfortable with...

PS: I'm finally out of that "mess" I made by doing one color of floss and carrying it down and across too many rows on the "Sacred Hour" project. I'm finally making some headway and holding my "carrying of
one color" going DOWN to no more than 7-8 rows at a time.

Gridding helps you take it as far as you like without getting lost.

Elerose, can't help but ask, you're title is about gridding, but your question is about parking? Not sure gridding would help you! LOL

Thank you all for the feedback. I am afraid I would end up with a tangled mess and it would be right in the trash.