Magnifying glass?

[Corey.G]

I was wondering if any of you use a magnifying glass when stitching on evenweave? I'm young (24) but I have yet to try one over one. Indent know how you do it. it seems so small without a magnifying glass. But the better detail is appealing.

[ohstitcher]

I am using clip on magnifiers for my glasses when I am stitching on any small fabric count. There is nothing wrong with using magnifiers.

[Nachstenliebe]

With very high counts I sometimes use reading glasses...
Faith

[ali-cat]

I bought a pair of magnifying glasses to help me stitch and had to go back 3 months later to buy stronger ones as they made my eyesight worse. If your eyesight is good enough to stitch without glasses I would try to keep doing that for as long as possible - as long as you're not straining your eyes, of course.

[Stitch]

I use a magnifying glass when I work on 28 count, but then I have horrible eysight anyway.

I use this to help. It also has LED lights, which I think are far easier on my eyes than daylight lamps.

[Corey.G]

Well last time I got my eyesight checked was last year and there was nothing wrong. And I know my eyesight hasn't changed. Maybe it's my lighting? I will have to experiment and buy a new light. The main area of our apartment is dark and we have yet to buy a lamp. But I have an LED lamp that situates tight behind me when I stitch.

[Pengwenn]

I have terrible eyes. I had a corneal transplant on my left eye years ago and will have to do the same on my right eye soon.

I found that lighting will make a huge difference. National lighting is so much better than artifical. Find a natural light bulb to use.

Also make sure you have a contrasting color beneath your fabric. It's harder to see the holes on white fabric if you've got a white background behind it. For light fabric use a dark background (i.e. wear dark pants or use a dark throw/blanket). For dark fabric use light background.

I also sometimes use a clip on light/magnifier. It clips onto my hoop and I can move it where I want. It's not bulky or heavy and I don't have to worry about trying to hold onto something else.

[Arianwen]

I have to agree - lighting is everything, especially when your getting used to higher counts. Try and avoid magnifiers until your eyes really need them.

When I started my fairy I found it so hard to stitch on the higher count linen (I think its 25 count or 28 count - not sure). I also find that the darker the colour I am stitching with, the easier it is (so white stitches on white fabric are a night mare on the higher counts for me).

I find that the more I stitch the more I am able to just see where the threads are supposed to go. If I am struggling to see the holes and I have no way of increasing the light, I run the tip of my needle over the fabric and feel/listen to know when I've gont the right number of holes.

[Vega]

I also recommend using a magnifying glass that goes close to the piece instead of glasses. I used magnifying glasses (reading glasses) and they messed my eye sight up. Now I need glasses for both reading and distance. I've found with good lighting I can do my stitching without my glasses though.

I use a desk lamp, with a movable head, and 40watt bulb. I put the light between my stitching and myself, rather than behind me. I found that helps me more when the rest of the room is dark.

[~threadbear~]

I use normal reading glasses on the advice of my optician. I took my smallest count work along with me and she said to wear slightly stronger glasses.
So for reading I have 2.50 glasses but I use 3.00 for my smaller stitching, which she recommended.
She said as long as you are at the normal distance, then the glasses are fine to use.

[skitzzzzz]

i would die without my magnifying glass and my day lihjt lighting plus i also wear glasses without these stitching would be impossible

[Carole]

I make sure I have plenty of light and use a clip on magnifier/light as well. I use this one which I've nicknamed The Purple Alien. It clips nicely onto my R&R frame.

[OctoberLace]

I'm quite a bit older than you, but I use MagEyes for my cross stitch. It looks weird having a headband and extention with magnifying glasses, but it's great for tiny work. I'm currently doing a HAED project, Angel with Iris, on 25 count Dublin linen 2 strands over 1 thread full cross, and I'd probably go blind trying to do that without magnification. My sister does cross stitch 2 over 2 on 14 count Aida with no problem, but I love working on 25 to 32 count linen.

MagEyes are widely available, and a Google search will bring up plenty of info on the product and suppliers. They come with options for 4 magnifying strengths, generally packaged as the unit plus 2 sets of lenses.

[Pisces57]

I use the Daylight Flexilens - Mini Clip magnifier. I have to wear prescription glasses for reading, computer work and of course my cross stitch. I don't know how I stitched before I got it but I certainly won't stitch without it now. No more splitting thread when coming up or going down through a hole, you can see perfectly how each stitch is laying down.........it just makes stitching more fun then it already is. Less eye strain as well.

[Serinde]

When I was your age, I certainly didn't need any magnification. Indeed, even into my early 40s, I was able to work on hardanger without additional help. There comes a time, however, and it happens to everyone, when your ability to change focal length just goes. You have many years yet! However, in the meantime, take care of those peepers: use the best lighting you can, don't strain your eyes by too much stitching for too long, keep hydrated and remember to blink (really!). If you need corrective lenses, make sure you have the prescription checked every year (are you in the UK?; then it's a free service).

Having said all that, there's no harm in using a bit of magnification, especially if you are working on very tiny stuff. Saves straining your eyes. There are lots and lots of choices available. Have a wander around the innertubes. It counts as stash...

[rosajet]

I started across stitch around 10 years ago and had to stop due to eye strain..then I saw my mum reading a newspaper with a magnifier which hung round her neck on a cord and balanced on her chest......
tra la! that's what I need!...it works so well..I use reading glasses as well..