AIBU to think MNers can save my cross stitch?

[CryingOntoMyCrossStitch]

Argghhh. I am a recent convert newbie to cross stitch and foolishly foolishly started quite an (for me at least) intricate design which has borders etc. I've outlined some of this finished design with black thread.

No doubt experienced cross stitchers will know what I'm going to say! The black thread is either rubbing onto or bleeding into the stitches and a lot of gold so now they look dirty. I can't unpick it all but any ideas how to stop it getting worse whilst finishing the rest? I was wondering about spraying it with hairspray. This may be a worse mistake...

In future I will wash and dry my threads before starting and leave the outlining until I've finished the whole thing

I do think it's looking really nice though so far, if slightly amateur and wonky, and it's a present for my mum. I've spent five weeks on it and can't bear to totally fuck it up at this stage - I have a lot more still to sew! It's been really hard work and I may have sworn and cried over it all already and one border is slightly unsymmetrical as I missed a row

Any ideas? I promise I will post a picture if someone can help me! Any advice gratefully received...

Bugger, I actually meant to put this in Arts and Crafts so I shall post there too.

DON'T do any more backstitch or border until the centre part of the pic is finished.
Always do any metallic threads and beads last.

Post a pic and I'll do my best to dig you out of your unpicking nightmare

Go on then, don't look too closely as it looks better from a distance There is about 40 rows left to do on the top with a different pattern.

I've actually considered putting latex gloves on so no oils from my fingers can rub the fabric. Is this a bit Hannibal Lecter or a good idea?

Looks fab to me

If the threads are colourfast it might be nap thats transferring, if so you should be able to remove it with sellotape.

right. I've found the pic on amazon.
I'm guessing the black dots in the top part are french knots? do them last with the black outlining.

if you turn it upside down, so you are stitching towards yourself rather than away it might help with the "bleeding" from the colours but remember to turn the pattern too - basic error for which i also have a badge

I don't actually see a prob from the photo (other than a missing row) as you say, from a distance it looks fine - once framed she won't notice.

you could try wearing gloves, but i bet you'll struggle with the needle tbh. Just wash your hands and dry well and don't use hand cream.

I always stitch the darker shades of a pattern first then graduate to lighter ones, so do the darker bit of blue next then the gold knots and backfill with the paler blue and odd red bits.

In my honest opinion, I don't see a problem - but I do love the pattern and the sentiment

oh and yes, the sticky tape tip is excellent especially for unpicking

here's one I did a few years back - sorry about the reflections in the photo.

It does not faithfully follow the pattern some of the background might be a bit made up...

and don't miss the little blue roundel/flower in the top left corner before you do the top section

pussycatinboots Wow!
You used to be able to get white kid finger and thumb stools for fine work, if they're still around they might be a bit expensive but they do keep the work clean. They were more comfortable to wear than gloves.

@pussycatinboots that is beautiful!

I can't believe I forgot the corner 

Good news is the sellotape worked! Thank you so much @Thelnebriati

I will follow all other advice too, thank you! I don't use MN as much as I used to but knew Mners would sort this out (they also sorted out my missing mooncup once that also involved latex gloves

If I remember I will post a pic of the finished article. It's only the third cross stitch I've done and I'm really enjoying it. It's for my Mum (Irish) when she can have visitors again (sadly I can't give it to her in person as I'm shielded which makes me really sad). I'm sure she will like it though.

Well I thought I would update you kind people with the finished article! I'm actually really pleased with it (especially from a distance) and it has literally kept me going the last couple of weeks as life is so shit.

Also I wanted to tell you something lovely - I did run out of the thread supplied due to having to unpick rows plus my total inability to floss without it going into a huge tangle (I've cracked it now). Obviously I can't go out to match them and the maker of the kit is based in the US and closed due to CV. I contacted Stitcher (I don't work for them I promise as you can see from my efforts) and they matched the threads for me from a photo and sent me lots of replacement thread and wouldn't charge me.

Isn't that lovely?

PS I didn't do the French knots as I can't I actually thought it looked fine without them