Cleaning up the back of a stitch?

[Brodeuse]

To have a really clean back, I NEVER jump diagonally or horizontally. I sometimes jump vertically, but never more than 4 or 5 counts. Moreover, I count my stitches so that the back only shows tiny vertical stitches (it requires stitching "in line"), and when I finish a color, I tuck the thread under the "Xs" (so on the front of the piece). It's a pain, but this way it's really clean, and it makes my grandmother happy! (For her if the back isn't as pretty as the front, it's not stitching!)

[curliewurlie]

I do jump to a stitch if it is not too far away and won't look a mess too much, but i also try and thread it under other stitched to prevent this. Somehow it is never quite tidy enough for me though! I dont knot my threads at the back either, as i found this created bumps that i didnt want when ironing and framing the work.