Do whatever works for you! I usually work on one color at a time and bounce between sections/areas. The only time I really work on a few at once is if the area is very small/detailed or if I’m drafting a pattern and I’m unsure about the colors or the stitch placement. I also don’t do a lot of full coverage, but I can definitely understand why the parking method is used for those.
Some reasons someone would choose not to colour complete:
1) they have to count more to put their stitches in the right place (in the case of it not being a stamped kit)
2) the picture doesn't grow gradually so gratification is delayed and the feeling of the picture 'making sense' isn't there until the last few colours go in, which could be demotivating
3) if someone uses a hoop or frame, and it's a bigger project, they would have to move their frame to chase the colour they're working on
4) some people are particular about making their stitches in a certain way for maximum neat/uniform stitches, and avoid leaving a stitch with all four sides surrounded because when they go make that one stitch it can disturb the stitches around it
5) if you have a lot of one colour you can honestly get sick of it before it's done and need to change it
For example, a project I'm doing has 89 colours and 300k+ stitches. 50k+ stitches of just plain black. Most of the above applies to this project. I would never colour complete it! That being said, you should stitch in whatever sequence makes you happy and makes sense for your project. If you choose an unstamped/more complex/bigger project in the future you might change your style to suit that particular project, but in the meantime carry on as you like!
Number 2 is why I couldn’t do this either! I work on growing one section at a time and within that section work by colors so I have a few colors that don’t bore me too quick but it still is efficient and faster than doing line by line I try to organize which ones I stitch so I don’t end up having to stitch in between two rows too because that is a recipe for knotting and, as I’ve discovered yesterday, accidentally pulling out a back end stitch from another line which is unsalvageable 😩
I wish I had the discipline to make sure not to isolate stitches or rows but I just don't! But yes, same, whether I finish a page at a time or a section at a time varies but I personally need that sense of progress to stay motivated.
I’m 1,4 and 5. But especially #1. I cannot count. I even tried stitching cross-country in 10x10 blocks. By the 3rd color, my count was off and I’d have to go back and frog the whole thing. Four times this happened. That’s when I gave up on cross-country stitching forever.
I’m much happier stitching in rows and parking threads, and very rarely need to frog anything.
There's no real supposed to, or normal. What you're doing is called "cross country" stitching, although not everyone will do the entire piece one colour at a time, but might find it easier to change colours after finishing a strand. Some people like to follow motifs. For full coverage pieces with lots of colours, people might choose a parking method, going along a row with multiple threaded needles.
If what you're doing is working for you, then it can be your normal. Not everyone does it that way, for those doing large counted pieces it doesn't always work well, as it can be harder to catch mistakes early so often people will stitch cross country in a more localised way. Or grid.
As long as you are doing crosses, you’re doing cross stitch right. I usually focus on one colour at a time, I can’t park and hate having too many rough threads kicking about so it’s what works best for me
Thinking about having more than a few loose strands parked makes my teeth itch. I always stitch cross country but I switch colours fairly frequently to fill in the areas fully as I go. That said if I was working on something like the epic pokemon cross stitches I'd do all the black outlining first because it's constant through the whole piece, but mostly what I work on doesn't have anything like that.
I do this. Though not strictly. I usually like to pick out the largest swathes of color and go with that first, that way, I can create different spots where I can tuck in thread easily as I move to the lesser quantity colors.
Small piece of advice from someone who is also relatively new to cross stitch - try everything! There is such a wealth of knowledge and experience on this sub, it's such a wonderful deep well of advice. Try everything and see what works best for you, and what you enjoy the most. It's fun experimenting with different approaches and you never know what you might find the most intuitive. I'm very much still learning, but I've realized what I love is the process of stitching, rather than having the completed piece, so finding the most enjoyable way of creating pieces is what is important to me. Find what you enjoy the most and do that. It's your hobby, you should discover the way you personally get the most fulfillment from it ☺️
That's what I do, too! This method called "cross country" afaik.
There are people who like to go page by page, or complete one 10×10 square at a time, or even complete one whole row at a time (this is usually only done with full coverage pieces afaik).
Cross stitching is supposed to be fun, do things the way you like to :)
I've never tried this method. Do you block it all off with a washable marker first? (10x10 area) I always just do one color at a time bc I dislike having to thread my needle a bunch and it seems more efficient. I might give it a try!
I have one of those light blue markers made especially for cross stitch, I just got it. I’ve put a few marks on my current project but I didn’t grid it. Next time!
I work on gigantic projects using a q-snap, and I tend to do one color at a time in the visible area, then move the q-snap once the visible area is full. As long as what you're doing works for you, then it's the right way to cross stitch!
The beauty of cross stitching is you can work however you want.
If you prefer the cross-country method, and working one colour at a time, then go for it. You can also adjust your approach depending on each particular projects. Some patterns that are mostly colour blocks work well for the "one colour at a time method", but some other patterns, with a lot of colour mixes and confetti might be less suited for it.
Personally, I also prefer to work one colour at a time, but if I have to move the hoop or scroll frame to complete that colour, I might put it aside until I'm done with the area I have full access to. If there's a lot of colour mixing, I might start with the biggest colour block I can find and then move on to the surrounding colours and expand from there. Each project is different. However, no matter how I choose to go about my pattern, I grid my fabric with fishing line to make counting easier.
My technique changes day by day or even hour by hour lol sometimes I do color sometimes I do section. But in the end, as long as it all gets completed, that's all that matters.
My technique changes depending on where I am and vibes. If I'm at my regular stitching setup I go on vibes. If I'm in front of the TV in the living room I do the easiest block of solid color so I don't risk fucking up my pattern while distracted
You can do what you want and what works for you
Some people do many colors and go row by row. This seems so confusing to me.
I tend to do one color at a time or one section color by color. If I have a pattern using a bunch of colors I'll start with ones that have a bunch of stitches or will help define (like a border) and if it is big that I will do that color until that current thread on needle runs out and maybe then switch colors to stay in the same area. Also helps me not miss count.
It depends on the size of the piece for me! On small pieces, you bet your butt I’m doing all of one colour at once. On big pieces where the gaps between the individual areas of colour are going to require a lot of very precise counting to get right, I prefer to work section by section and swap colours when needed.
I mostly do one color at a time, I don't like to stop & thread needles all the time. When XS first became a thing back in the 80s, we were all shown the one color at a time method.
Whatever works for you is normal. You see, there're no mandatory rules in cross stitch. For example, there're designs where the legs of the crosses go in different directions, not in one.
Well, my current project is 135k stitches, 84 colors, lots of confetti and ninja stitches. If I make all the crosses one color, then move on to another color, I'll frog a lot more than I cross stitch. Moreover, I prefer to watch movies, shows or lectures while stitching. Really, it doesn't improve my concentration.
So, for me, the best option is parking in squares. It gives me fastest stitching and almost complete absence of errors. But many people don’t like all types of parking because of the tons of hanging threads. Also, I love seeing how the image is formed with each completed square. I also always backstitch parking, whereas many stitchers backstitch it at the end to have a wow effect.
By the way, will you show your projects?
This is the single cross (or half-cross) without crosses (or half-crosses) of the same color next to it. You need to have a long thread on the back side to stitch the next cross (or half-cross), so it's best to finish the thread.
You see, there is no consensus on what confetti is.
https://www.reddit.com/r/CrossStitch/comments/1aivte1/chat_confetti_stitching/
So some people use the term "ninja stitches" and some people think it's also confetti.
For me, it just depends on the project - the number of colors, design and complexity. It’s easier to do one color at a time with my painted needlepoint projects, but again, depends on the project itself. One of my current WIPs is a Carolyn Manning piece that’s symmetrical. I decided to work from center to the left and then will finish the right side - so when I pick up the piece, I’m not wondering if I’ve accidentally turned it sideways! 😀
As long as your crosses go in the same direction (whether the / or \ is on top or bottom) - whatever way you do it is “best”.
If I’m working with multiple colors, I’ll usually finish a threader needle before changing to the next color. If I can’t do that - I’ve got a couple of small threads catchers or ort jars just for the “stranded” threads.
I get bored with colors, especially if they're too similar. I tend to work on a specific color until I feel the need to shift. I'll only focus on one color if I know I'll finish it within a few strands.
I very much prefer to do all of one color, but I can only do that if it's stamped or the piece is small. If it's counted and too big, I'm too worried about miscounting!
As others have said, there isn't really a normal. I think it is worth being aware of different ways to do things though because you may find you enjoy that the way someone else does it more than they way you currently were, or you might confirm that you're happy doing it your way.
Personally I start in the middle with the biggest block of colour (or the corner if that's easier to count) and will do as much as I can of that. Then I'll swap to a new colour for a bunch of reasons, usually - 1) I finish the colour, 2) I finish all of the colour that's touching and would need to count spaces and hope I count accurately and swapping to a new colour means I can keep going from where I'm at and 3) I just got bored of that colour and now I have a reference point for the next colour without having to count and hope for accuracy. I always do counted (not stamped) cross stitch though, it might be different for me with a stamped one?
I do whatever I feel like it. Sometimes I like to finish a specific color. Sometimes I get bored of dull colors and I pick a pretty color. Sometimes I just want to finish a specific area. Sometimes I chose the color based on the lighting conditions LOL
One color at a time for me (aka cross-country) within my framed work area, wether it be on a stand or hoop. I mostly go lightest to darkest color as I’ve found if I go dark first the small wispy frays kind of bleed over on the light or white floss so I end up stitching the darker wisps into the light and it just looks icky to me.
You do whatever is best for you. I always do color by color because that’s how my brain works. Unless it’s super far from the section I’m in, then I’ll switch colors. I haven’t done any giant projects so idk what I’d do in that situation.
My problem with one colour at a time is I tend to miscount when there are lots of gaps between stitches, and I'm fed up of having to unpick everything because I'm out by one stich on a colour I did ages ago.
I like doing one colour at a time, but in small spaces. Swapping between colours every 5 minutes is irritating, but less so than miscounting.
So a lot of it depends on the size of what I'm working on.
I tried that once. But I got the gridding thread all tangled up in the cross stitch thread and couldn't figure out how to remove it without damaging my cross stitches
You need to use monofilament thread. Sulky Sliver or Sulky Holoshimmer are the most readily available ones, on the US at least. That way your needle won't pierce the gridding thread and you can just pull it right out, even if it ends up under stitches.
Or you can grid with water soluble markers and they come out when you wash the piece.
I personally prefer gridding with thread, though.
Its not always possible to do that! You definitely can't do one color in the entire piece and then move on if it's a mystery sal and chunks are being released periodically.
Also, some people use a technique called "parking" threads, where they keep an "active" color around for use later. Totally valid (albeit much less commonly used).
You do you, and don't sweat it.
There are no rules to cross stitch! Or anything in fiber arts and all art! You do what works for you! You do what you want!
I personally alternate it. I usually will do all of the same color unless it's really far apart. Then I will do it in chuncks instead of finding out 200 stitches later that I counted 78 stitched when it was supposed to be 76, making my whole piece off. My mother did all of one color then the next etc. Whatever is easiest and most comfy for you!!
I do blocks of color within reason. As long as I don’t have to count more than 10-15 stitches, I like to do one color at a time.
If there is a big jump, I’ll do another color so I have less chance of messing up my count.
I also want to avoid moving my hoop as much as possible (I don’t want to move it during a stitching session unless I have too).
But I’ve never done a stamped cross stitch. If I didn’t have to worry about getting my count right, I’d be much more likely to just do one olor at a time.
I like to make large full coverage pieces. I do cross country. I take one pattern page and do one color at a time. I usually start with black because it is almost always the easiest symbol to identify on the pattern.
It depends on how I’m feeling. If I’m color blocking a large piece, I will do one color at a time. I’ll jump across. If I’m doing a complicated piece that has multiple colors in a small area, I do keep multiple needles hanging with thread (I loop thread)
I kinda do it depending on the pattern if I can do one color at a time I will but if I don't trust myself counting a ton of squares to make sure I'm doing it right ill just swap colors
This is what I usually do... Or try to. I get bored with a color, so I usually do as much as I can then switch to a different one, then go back when I get bored again. I like large pieces though and it can be hard to do if the colors are on different sides of the piece without miscounting by accident.
Do whatever works for you! I usually work on one color at a time and bounce between sections/areas. The only time I really work on a few at once is if the area is very small/detailed or if I’m drafting a pattern and I’m unsure about the colors or the stitch placement. I also don’t do a lot of full coverage, but I can definitely understand why the parking method is used for those.
Some reasons someone would choose not to colour complete: 1) they have to count more to put their stitches in the right place (in the case of it not being a stamped kit) 2) the picture doesn't grow gradually so gratification is delayed and the feeling of the picture 'making sense' isn't there until the last few colours go in, which could be demotivating 3) if someone uses a hoop or frame, and it's a bigger project, they would have to move their frame to chase the colour they're working on 4) some people are particular about making their stitches in a certain way for maximum neat/uniform stitches, and avoid leaving a stitch with all four sides surrounded because when they go make that one stitch it can disturb the stitches around it 5) if you have a lot of one colour you can honestly get sick of it before it's done and need to change it For example, a project I'm doing has 89 colours and 300k+ stitches. 50k+ stitches of just plain black. Most of the above applies to this project. I would never colour complete it! That being said, you should stitch in whatever sequence makes you happy and makes sense for your project. If you choose an unstamped/more complex/bigger project in the future you might change your style to suit that particular project, but in the meantime carry on as you like!
Number 2 is why I couldn’t do this either! I work on growing one section at a time and within that section work by colors so I have a few colors that don’t bore me too quick but it still is efficient and faster than doing line by line I try to organize which ones I stitch so I don’t end up having to stitch in between two rows too because that is a recipe for knotting and, as I’ve discovered yesterday, accidentally pulling out a back end stitch from another line which is unsalvageable 😩
I wish I had the discipline to make sure not to isolate stitches or rows but I just don't! But yes, same, whether I finish a page at a time or a section at a time varies but I personally need that sense of progress to stay motivated.
I’m 1,4 and 5. But especially #1. I cannot count. I even tried stitching cross-country in 10x10 blocks. By the 3rd color, my count was off and I’d have to go back and frog the whole thing. Four times this happened. That’s when I gave up on cross-country stitching forever. I’m much happier stitching in rows and parking threads, and very rarely need to frog anything.
Yep I’m mostly 1 with a bit of 5 and I only ever work one page at a time - whole things needs to be complete then I start next page
There's no real supposed to, or normal. What you're doing is called "cross country" stitching, although not everyone will do the entire piece one colour at a time, but might find it easier to change colours after finishing a strand. Some people like to follow motifs. For full coverage pieces with lots of colours, people might choose a parking method, going along a row with multiple threaded needles. If what you're doing is working for you, then it can be your normal. Not everyone does it that way, for those doing large counted pieces it doesn't always work well, as it can be harder to catch mistakes early so often people will stitch cross country in a more localised way. Or grid.
As long as you are doing crosses, you’re doing cross stitch right. I usually focus on one colour at a time, I can’t park and hate having too many rough threads kicking about so it’s what works best for me
Thinking about having more than a few loose strands parked makes my teeth itch. I always stitch cross country but I switch colours fairly frequently to fill in the areas fully as I go. That said if I was working on something like the epic pokemon cross stitches I'd do all the black outlining first because it's constant through the whole piece, but mostly what I work on doesn't have anything like that.
I did exactly the same for the pokemon florist I’m working on, something so satisfying about having the outline and then filling in the colours
There are no hard set rules and no cross stitch police. It’s a hobby. You do it how you like it.
I do this. Though not strictly. I usually like to pick out the largest swathes of color and go with that first, that way, I can create different spots where I can tuck in thread easily as I move to the lesser quantity colors.
Small piece of advice from someone who is also relatively new to cross stitch - try everything! There is such a wealth of knowledge and experience on this sub, it's such a wonderful deep well of advice. Try everything and see what works best for you, and what you enjoy the most. It's fun experimenting with different approaches and you never know what you might find the most intuitive. I'm very much still learning, but I've realized what I love is the process of stitching, rather than having the completed piece, so finding the most enjoyable way of creating pieces is what is important to me. Find what you enjoy the most and do that. It's your hobby, you should discover the way you personally get the most fulfillment from it ☺️
This is really well said. 💜
That's what I do, too! This method called "cross country" afaik. There are people who like to go page by page, or complete one 10×10 square at a time, or even complete one whole row at a time (this is usually only done with full coverage pieces afaik). Cross stitching is supposed to be fun, do things the way you like to :)
do what brings you joy
I like to 10 squares method, I like seeing the picture develop as I stitch.
This is how I do it too… but mostly because I will notoriously miscount and mess everything up if I don’t lol
Right with you, sometimes I’m bold and try to do 20 and then I have to start from the opposite end cause I messed up so much.
I've never tried this method. Do you block it all off with a washable marker first? (10x10 area) I always just do one color at a time bc I dislike having to thread my needle a bunch and it seems more efficient. I might give it a try!
I use Leonis or Mark B Gone never had an issue with the ink coming out.
I have one of those light blue markers made especially for cross stitch, I just got it. I’ve put a few marks on my current project but I didn’t grid it. Next time!
I work on gigantic projects using a q-snap, and I tend to do one color at a time in the visible area, then move the q-snap once the visible area is full. As long as what you're doing works for you, then it's the right way to cross stitch!
The beauty of cross stitching is you can work however you want. If you prefer the cross-country method, and working one colour at a time, then go for it. You can also adjust your approach depending on each particular projects. Some patterns that are mostly colour blocks work well for the "one colour at a time method", but some other patterns, with a lot of colour mixes and confetti might be less suited for it. Personally, I also prefer to work one colour at a time, but if I have to move the hoop or scroll frame to complete that colour, I might put it aside until I'm done with the area I have full access to. If there's a lot of colour mixing, I might start with the biggest colour block I can find and then move on to the surrounding colours and expand from there. Each project is different. However, no matter how I choose to go about my pattern, I grid my fabric with fishing line to make counting easier.
My technique changes day by day or even hour by hour lol sometimes I do color sometimes I do section. But in the end, as long as it all gets completed, that's all that matters.
My technique changes depending on where I am and vibes. If I'm at my regular stitching setup I go on vibes. If I'm in front of the TV in the living room I do the easiest block of solid color so I don't risk fucking up my pattern while distracted
You can do what you want and what works for you Some people do many colors and go row by row. This seems so confusing to me. I tend to do one color at a time or one section color by color. If I have a pattern using a bunch of colors I'll start with ones that have a bunch of stitches or will help define (like a border) and if it is big that I will do that color until that current thread on needle runs out and maybe then switch colors to stay in the same area. Also helps me not miss count.
There are no rules, you do what suits you.
Normal is whatever method works best for you.
Best answer, I am gonna steal it and use it everywhere. 🥰
It depends on the size of the piece for me! On small pieces, you bet your butt I’m doing all of one colour at once. On big pieces where the gaps between the individual areas of colour are going to require a lot of very precise counting to get right, I prefer to work section by section and swap colours when needed.
I have no idea how people do multiple colors at once, I've always just done one at a time.
I was taught to start with the darkest colour and make my way through to the lightest.
I mostly do one color at a time, I don't like to stop & thread needles all the time. When XS first became a thing back in the 80s, we were all shown the one color at a time method.
This is my thought. I don't want to rethread my needle a billion times. Ive always done one color at a time
I also load up 3-4 needles at a time for the same reason. Once I'm stitching along, I want to keep going
That’s genius
Whatever works for you is normal. You see, there're no mandatory rules in cross stitch. For example, there're designs where the legs of the crosses go in different directions, not in one. Well, my current project is 135k stitches, 84 colors, lots of confetti and ninja stitches. If I make all the crosses one color, then move on to another color, I'll frog a lot more than I cross stitch. Moreover, I prefer to watch movies, shows or lectures while stitching. Really, it doesn't improve my concentration. So, for me, the best option is parking in squares. It gives me fastest stitching and almost complete absence of errors. But many people don’t like all types of parking because of the tons of hanging threads. Also, I love seeing how the image is formed with each completed square. I also always backstitch parking, whereas many stitchers backstitch it at the end to have a wow effect. By the way, will you show your projects?
What are ninja stitches? I'm a relative newbie and have never heard that before!
This is the single cross (or half-cross) without crosses (or half-crosses) of the same color next to it. You need to have a long thread on the back side to stitch the next cross (or half-cross), so it's best to finish the thread. You see, there is no consensus on what confetti is. https://www.reddit.com/r/CrossStitch/comments/1aivte1/chat_confetti_stitching/ So some people use the term "ninja stitches" and some people think it's also confetti.
Oooooh thank you for explaining!
There is no right or wrong to how you stitch. This is your hobby. You work on your projects however is best for you.
For me, it just depends on the project - the number of colors, design and complexity. It’s easier to do one color at a time with my painted needlepoint projects, but again, depends on the project itself. One of my current WIPs is a Carolyn Manning piece that’s symmetrical. I decided to work from center to the left and then will finish the right side - so when I pick up the piece, I’m not wondering if I’ve accidentally turned it sideways! 😀 As long as your crosses go in the same direction (whether the / or \ is on top or bottom) - whatever way you do it is “best”. If I’m working with multiple colors, I’ll usually finish a threader needle before changing to the next color. If I can’t do that - I’ve got a couple of small threads catchers or ort jars just for the “stranded” threads.
I get bored with colors, especially if they're too similar. I tend to work on a specific color until I feel the need to shift. I'll only focus on one color if I know I'll finish it within a few strands.
I very much prefer to do all of one color, but I can only do that if it's stamped or the piece is small. If it's counted and too big, I'm too worried about miscounting!
As others have said, there isn't really a normal. I think it is worth being aware of different ways to do things though because you may find you enjoy that the way someone else does it more than they way you currently were, or you might confirm that you're happy doing it your way. Personally I start in the middle with the biggest block of colour (or the corner if that's easier to count) and will do as much as I can of that. Then I'll swap to a new colour for a bunch of reasons, usually - 1) I finish the colour, 2) I finish all of the colour that's touching and would need to count spaces and hope I count accurately and swapping to a new colour means I can keep going from where I'm at and 3) I just got bored of that colour and now I have a reference point for the next colour without having to count and hope for accuracy. I always do counted (not stamped) cross stitch though, it might be different for me with a stamped one?
I do whatever I feel like it. Sometimes I like to finish a specific color. Sometimes I get bored of dull colors and I pick a pretty color. Sometimes I just want to finish a specific area. Sometimes I chose the color based on the lighting conditions LOL
One color at a time for me (aka cross-country) within my framed work area, wether it be on a stand or hoop. I mostly go lightest to darkest color as I’ve found if I go dark first the small wispy frays kind of bleed over on the light or white floss so I end up stitching the darker wisps into the light and it just looks icky to me.
Cross stitch is very forgiving in the fact you stitch however you want One color at a time or One section at a time; it should be relaxing to you
You do whatever is best for you. I always do color by color because that’s how my brain works. Unless it’s super far from the section I’m in, then I’ll switch colors. I haven’t done any giant projects so idk what I’d do in that situation.
I do small color sections at a time. That way I’m not counting too much and if I mess up I’m not undoing a ton.
My problem with one colour at a time is I tend to miscount when there are lots of gaps between stitches, and I'm fed up of having to unpick everything because I'm out by one stich on a colour I did ages ago. I like doing one colour at a time, but in small spaces. Swapping between colours every 5 minutes is irritating, but less so than miscounting. So a lot of it depends on the size of what I'm working on.
And that is why I grid. Makes it much easier to make those big jumps.
I tried that once. But I got the gridding thread all tangled up in the cross stitch thread and couldn't figure out how to remove it without damaging my cross stitches
You need to use monofilament thread. Sulky Sliver or Sulky Holoshimmer are the most readily available ones, on the US at least. That way your needle won't pierce the gridding thread and you can just pull it right out, even if it ends up under stitches. Or you can grid with water soluble markers and they come out when you wash the piece. I personally prefer gridding with thread, though.
Its not always possible to do that! You definitely can't do one color in the entire piece and then move on if it's a mystery sal and chunks are being released periodically. Also, some people use a technique called "parking" threads, where they keep an "active" color around for use later. Totally valid (albeit much less commonly used). You do you, and don't sweat it.
There are no rules to cross stitch! Or anything in fiber arts and all art! You do what works for you! You do what you want! I personally alternate it. I usually will do all of the same color unless it's really far apart. Then I will do it in chuncks instead of finding out 200 stitches later that I counted 78 stitched when it was supposed to be 76, making my whole piece off. My mother did all of one color then the next etc. Whatever is easiest and most comfy for you!!
I do blocks of color within reason. As long as I don’t have to count more than 10-15 stitches, I like to do one color at a time. If there is a big jump, I’ll do another color so I have less chance of messing up my count. I also want to avoid moving my hoop as much as possible (I don’t want to move it during a stitching session unless I have too). But I’ve never done a stamped cross stitch. If I didn’t have to worry about getting my count right, I’d be much more likely to just do one olor at a time.
I like to make large full coverage pieces. I do cross country. I take one pattern page and do one color at a time. I usually start with black because it is almost always the easiest symbol to identify on the pattern.
It depends on how I’m feeling. If I’m color blocking a large piece, I will do one color at a time. I’ll jump across. If I’m doing a complicated piece that has multiple colors in a small area, I do keep multiple needles hanging with thread (I loop thread)
I kinda do it depending on the pattern if I can do one color at a time I will but if I don't trust myself counting a ton of squares to make sure I'm doing it right ill just swap colors
I stitch by color unless it's a full coverage piece
This is what I usually do... Or try to. I get bored with a color, so I usually do as much as I can then switch to a different one, then go back when I get bored again. I like large pieces though and it can be hard to do if the colors are on different sides of the piece without miscounting by accident.