Ann Logan

It is well known that cross-stitch is very addictive. Especially when you feel that you have enough time to be alone with the thread and needle. Do not give in! Take a break from time to time, putting off the thread and needle while resting your eyes and hands.
If you are too keen on your craft, use the alarm clock. When the alarm goes off, it’s time to put aside the fabric and other cross-stitch accessories and get some rest.

I assume that you yourself understand this, but still I will say. It is very important to wash your hands before touching the fabric or thread. Of course, you are going to wash the finished cross stitch design, but why make it dirtier?
In case you use a thread or fabric that is hand-dyed wash them in advance so that they do not stain your handwork.
Unwind your thread from time to time. Just leave the needle and let the thread loose - it will unwind itself... Or help it a little to unwind.
Do this every few stitches, otherwise the texture will be uneven and the fabric will show through your stitches too much.