I've got one of those contraptions which clips to the embroidery hoop, there's a small magnifier and light on it. It's okay for what it is, not brilliant, but it certainly helps. I've got a snap frame which I'd like to try out but the clip on the magnifier is too small for this and there's no way I can stitch without some kind of magnification.
I'm thinking about putting a magnifying daylight lamp on my Christmas wish list and wondered if any of you use one. I think one which stands on the floor rather than a table would be better for me and I'm sure it would come in useful for more things than cross stitch, especially during the winter months when there isn't much daylight about. I'm looking for any recommendations you can give. Do you have one of these magnifiers, can you recommend a particular one, do you find it useful, is it worth having?
Any and all advice gratefully received.
When stitching and doing close work I use 2 things, firstly I purchase magnifying glasses, I have worn a pair for years, I use 3.5. After speaking to my Optician, who thought the glasses were best option, as anything hand held can move, which means your eyes have to keep making adjustments. Secondly I use a powerful uplighter behind my chair, the light reflected off the ceiling allows my workspace to be flooded with light, enough for me to work, but not flooding the room. Hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteI never thought of magnifying glasses. I wear glasses for close work anyway so I'm not sure if they'd work. The light sounds like a good idea though.
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ReplyDeleteThank you. I seem to have a problem even with fabric with a large count so I definitely need some sort of magnifier. My eyesight is getting worse the older I get.
DeleteHi Jo
ReplyDeleteI have a Purelite 3 in 1 magnifying lamp. I have it set up as a floor lamp for the most part but you can use as a table lamp or a clip on lamp too and as well as running on the main electricity it comes with a battery pack so you can use if you go away. When we go on holiday I fold mine back down into its box and put it in the car to take with me as I can't see to stitch without it these days. They have the same one on amazon at the moment.
Mx
I shall definitely have a look at that, it sounds very adaptable being able to be used in a variety of ways and also with a battery pack so that it can be used on the go. My eyesight is terrible now, I can't stitch without some sort of magnifier.
DeleteI have a free standing floor lamp with a remote ,three levels of light and flexible main piece.My OH got it for me last Xmas and it is superb..He bought from Amazon.We have been on Amazon and think it is the Trond LED floor lamp.Price £63.74.He is sure he didn't pay that much but it is really good.
ReplyDeleteThank you for that, it's so good to get recommendations. I shall take a look at Amazon.
DeleteDear Jo
ReplyDeleteI follow an embroiderer in the USA called Mary Corbett and her blog is https://www.needlenthread.com/. She often does comparisons of equipment and talks about her experiences with all things embroidery. Some of the equipment she recommends is USA based, but you can usually find something similar over here. She has looked at magnifiers and lights in the past.
Good luck with finding something suitable.
Best wishes
Ellie
That sounds brilliant, I do like to see comparisons. I shall take a look at Mary's site. Thank you.
DeleteI have had another look on Amazon and I think mine is the NACATIN floor lamp at £41.99.A much better price!!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds very reasonable. I'll take a look at that. Thank you.
DeleteI've never used a daylight lamp, you can just buy a daylight bulb and put in a lamp you already have, I haven't got room for another floor lamp. I can't stitch without a magnifier, mine has got a built in light which takes rechargeable batteries. I did try magnifier glasses as well but don't get on with those so much, but they are cheep enough so might be worth a try first to see if you get on with them.
ReplyDeleteI think the best bet for me will be to get a magnifier which has a built in light, something just on a much bigger scale than what I've got at the moment. There's no way I can stitch without a magnifier now, my eyes seem to be deteriorating at a rate of knots.
DeleteHope you get suggestions, before you give yourself, a *good* headache!!!
ReplyDelete😊🔥😊
I do like to have recommendations before I make a purchase, other people's advice is invaluable.
DeleteI guess I'm old school. :) I use a magnifying glass that my grandmother set up for my grandfather. Is's a simple battery operated light up, hand held magnifying glass that has a hole in the handle that my grandmother threaded a grubby shoe lace through. (Or at least the lace is grubby now - but I refuse to change it.) I hang it around my neck and the handle rests on my chest and the magnifier sticks out over my work. It's light, portable and I feel my grandparents' love every time I use it.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to have something which your grandparents used. Not only used but made. I've seen magnifiers which hang round your neck in this way, but I should imagine you have to sit still otherwise they'll move. I think I could do with trying them out.
DeleteI'm hoping you will get some helpful suggestions Jo, sorry I cannot be of any help but I don't cross-stitch, knitting etc.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I'm pleased to have had some good suggestions already, it's just a case of doing a bit of research now to see what will work best for me.
DeleteI hope you find what you need Jo, the light at the moment is terrible isn't it. I was trying to do some machine sewing the other day and had to get a head torch out to thread the needle as I couldn't see where the hole on the needle was at all!
ReplyDeleteI have to use a needle threader these days. My eyes are deteriorating and I have to use glasses for close work but the low light levels at this time of year makes it nigh on impossible to do things like cross stitch. I'm sure a magnifying light will help.
DeleteI have an Ottlite 2 in 1 LED magnifying floor lamp. I bought it on its own, but I can only see it online paired with a table lamp now and seems quite a bit more expensive than I would have ever paid! :) I also wear progressive lenses, as my sight for detailed work is quite poor now.
ReplyDeleteI shall look up that make, thank you. I would be lost without my glasses these days but they're not strong enough for things like cross stitch.
DeleteI have the same problem so I've enjoyed reading all these comments with such great suggestions.
ReplyDeleteMy problem comes with age, my eyes are deteriorating as I get older. I wouldn't have had any problem seeing the smallest things when I was younger.
DeleteI hope you find the perfect lamp and magnifier.xxx
ReplyDeleteI've put it on my Christmas list so I'm hoping that Santa takes notice.
DeleteStronger power in a pair of reading glasses would help for cross stitching. They are only used to see up close because they magnify. There are many ranges of power in lenses. You could ask your eye doctor for a pair that is higher in power/magnification that would benefit you only when you stitch. Outside of close up work, they would be blurry.
ReplyDeleteSuggestion, take your cross stitch with you to the doctor. That way you could test out different power strengths to see what would be most comfortable for. Hope that helps.
Thank you for your suggestion, that sounds like a good idea and definitely worth trying.
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