Thanks everyone for your help.

I soaked one skein as suggested and the water turned orange and I left the skein on a paper towel overnight and the skein bled black so I will definately not be washing this pattern, nor with I travel with this pattern.

As well I have covered the front of the pattern while in the hoop with a sheet of acid free tissue paper and am only ripping off the section I am currently working on, so I'm hoping this will help keep it clean. I too am very conscience about keeping my hands clean but for some reason I still get marks on my pictures. My mother pointed out that I live in a house with baseboard heaters which seems to make the house very dusty which could be a reason why my pictures get dirty. I usually don't bag my pictures every night while its a WIP so I can put in a few extra stitches in the morning before work but for this picture I am definately bagging it every night.

Again ladies thanks for your help.

Nicole