problem with eyesight

[sophierose]

I am now going to embak on a very difficult Elvis portrait on 14 count Aida there is a lot of dark colours and as I have poor vision I'm a little worried, would it be a good idea to mark my material into 10 square grid and if so how? And also would it be easier to only work on those 10 squares I know it would probably take more cotton doing it that way but think it would work better for me, any advice much appreciated this is a project I need finished for Christmas so really need to get started

[Emmylou]

Make sure you stitch in daylight to keep the strain off your eyes.

I sometimes grid and I use a washable fabric marker for that, check it on a scrap piece of fabric though to be sure it comes off easily. I know some others use a thread to grid which can easily be removed after stitching. Hope this helps oh and be sure to post photos!

[rcperryls]

Good advice from Emmylou. If you can, a good lamp and/or magnifier would be a great help also. This Daylight Magnifier is what I use. Depending on where you live, you can find it at several craft stores (I found it at AC Moore, but Michaels has them and probably others) and use their coupons (I had a 40% off) so it isn't quite as expensive. There are other brands available.

Carole

[Mystonique]

My Mum tried a variety of lights but still quit crafting due to deteriorating eyesite ... until I bought my Daylight lamp this year - now it's on almost all the time, she loves it and says she can see as well as she used to if not better.

It really helps me too and my eyesight isn't bad.

As for gridding I use fishing line (new and clean) and I find that once the 10x10s are marked I can easily go over the lines without losing count or worrying - so I don't even need to stitch 10x10 to keep track. I also mark my pattern if it isn't clear although on most these days it's already marked in 10x10.