When looking at black and white patterns...

[Bernice]

I actually cannot work with just a black and white pattern. I HAVE to go over the entire pattern and outline all the different colours. I've started to do this with a somewhat complex 36 colour pattern (135x180) and good heavens, I haven't done more than 1/5 of it so far and I want to start stitching already

I wish there were more sections of about 500 squares of the same colour. It'd be so much faster.

[Cameron]

Are you able to print the pattern in colour? If you have access to the pattern file itself instead of just a pdf, should be easy enough to do. For complex patterns having it in colour definitely helps a lot.

[ovi.sergiu]

You could use Pattern Keeper app (for Android devices) and your stitching experience will reach another level. Take a look on youtube videos about it.