Ann Logan

The easy to keep from losing your cross-stitch needles, is to glue a magnetic strip to the inside of the box you keep your embroidery floss and other accessories.
It is very important to double check your counting. It is called counted cross stitch, isn't it? If even one missing stitch in important area can destroy the project. So please, check your counting before you start the stitching. It's worth it.

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.