Stitches

What features do you look for when shopping for cross stitch patterns? Which ones are easiest to read?

As a point of clarification...I prefer counted cross stitch, not printed cross stitch. I just find some patterns are easier to read than others. For example, patterns that are in four color are sometimes difficult to read because the colors look too similar. Patterns in black and white are easier because there is more distinction between colors. What is your opinion?

Public Comments

1. I look for something that has an interesting design and will be somewhat of a challenge. I think if your looking for the easiest thing to 'read', those would be the ones where the color is already laid down for you and all you have to do is stitch over it.
2. dark xxx's
3. I don't like the printed cross-stitch either. I tried one once but the print was slightly off and I ended up too frustrated to continue. I prefer cross-stitch patterns that combine both symbols and colors to avoid any confusion whatsoever. B&W are also good. The ones with blocks of color can be misleading, especially if the colors are too close to each other or faded/different throughout the pattern.
4. i think the patterns with a 10 square grid (thats bolder than the individual squares) is easier to read, so you can count by 10s rather than counting every stitch on the chart every time. i also photocopy my cross stitch patterns (sometimes enlarging them) so i can mark them up or hilight parts that i have done.
5. I like the ones with colors and synbols, and the 10 square/bold grids. I have been working on a collection of wizard crossstiich, and I look for ones that have lots of pretty colors and are more complicated than cartoony. (Although I do have one with Micky as the Sorceror's Apprentice!). I also like to xerox the graph to work from.