I am with you on the crisscrossing as well. I end up messing with my hair too much trying to get the crisscrossing done and I am pulling out any root curl I might have. I sometimes just use 2 larger jaw clips and grab both sides of the hair along my part with them and then do some diffusing and then take them out. That is is best clipping I have ever been able to do. These are the 2 inch (??) jaw clips.
I have given up on any other implements.