X-stitchers: Do you finish a color or an area first?

[Chantelle]

Do you normally work on a certain area until it's finished, and then move on to another area, or do you work in one color until it's finished, and then move on to another color? I'm new to cross stitching, and it makes more sense to me to work in one color first (of course, if the same color isn't anywhere near the area I'm working in, I save it), but I think I'd feel less bored and also feel like I was making more progress if I could see more color on the canvas sooner. Just trying to get an idea of what other, more experienced, cross stitchers are doing! By the way, I'm talking about when you are doing larger pieces with a lot of stuff filled in, rather than lettering, etc.

[Mellifluous]

Depending on the size of the project I tend to finish one area at a time but I work the same colors in that area first. The tips I've read suggest having several needles with different colors loaded and stuck into a piece of cloth or placing the needles on a piece of cardboard with a magnet on it. I don't do it that way because if feels like it slows me down instead of helping.

[fiberartsy]

I tend to go by color if it's a smallish piece.  But if the design doesn't fit entirely within the hoop--I'll usually work on whatever part of the design is in the hoop.   Sometimes I have to do that so I don't get my count off too!  I'm pretty bad about getting off track!

[Listessa]

It depends mostly on the size of the project, or if I get really sick of working with one color, or how far away the next chunk of color is located.

Usually, I'll try and finish at least most of one color in an area before moving on.  A lot of it is a mood thing with me.  When I feel like staring at one color is making me loose my mind, I try to switch to another just for a change of pace. 

[sonjabegonia]

I usually work through an area at a time, keeping a few different needles going with different threads.  The main reason for doing this is that I just do counted cross-stitch -- no printed on the canvas designs -- and I don't want to work through counting mistakes that inevitably occur when I jump around on the canvas. 

[mwagen]

I tend to stitch in colours rather then areas. It makes it more interesting, and avoids those annoying line I get when I stitch by those 10x10 blocks

[devilxkat]

I try to complete all stitches for a particular color, but I also try to keep my entire design within the hoop.

[beelisty]

I try to complete all stitches for a particular color, but I also try to keep my entire design within the hoop.

i also do this.

[MrXStitch]

I do blocks of colour and then work out from there. But it's all quite random.
One thing I try to do if possible is work from dark colours to light ones, so the inevitable dirt and grease from handling doesn't show up too much.

[beelisty]

I do blocks of colour and then work out from there. But it's all quite random.
One thing I try to do if possible is work from dark colours to light ones, so the inevitable dirt and grease from handling doesn't show up too much.

that's a good point-- but also be careful.  in my experience, if i work too much black, fuzz gets into the light colored stitches. 

anyone else keep a tweezers around for those pesky stray fibers (or in my case, cat hairs)?