when working stats I use mining for strength, music for dex and spirit speak for int.
Here's a chart (lower part of the page) that will tell you what stat each skill checks.
I don't know what method you use, but here's what I do:
I buy up as much skill as I can until I hit my cap. I make sure I leave the skills I plan to use (mining, music or spirit speak) at zero. Once I have bought skills so I'm maxed, I turn all my skill locks up so I have the potential to gain in all skills, and lock the stats I'm not trying to modify. I then start mining, playing music or talking to the dead (depending on what stat I want to change). When you are at 0 in a skill you are guaranteed to gain on an attempt at using the skill. With the possibility of a skill gain you also get a chance to gain in that skill's associated stat.
What this means is you will get more skill and stat checks, and will be more apt to get a stat gain than if your skill was higher than 0.
Once I have my stats where I want them I lock them, lower all my skill locks (except for the points I want to keep) and soulstone off and delete all the unnecessary skill points, clearing my template of the skills I don't want.
I've been doing stats this way for years, works like a charm every time.