Question about a good magnifyer device for cross-stitch

[CathyA]

I want to get back into cross-stitching, but it's pretty hard to see some of the patterns and the weave of the material. I've seen magnifiers that you put on your head, and others that are on a stand that you can put between you and the pattern/material.
Anyone have a favorite?

[rodeosweetheart]

I like the Ott one with a light, on a stand, but I haven't actually bought one, just admired it.

[Birdie]

I have one of the Ott lights with the magnifying glass and I use it when I do needlepoint. It's wonderful. It has a very bright light with a flexible neck so you can adjust it. The magnifying glass is adjustable also. I got mine at Joann's with a 50% coupon.

I like it so much that I bought a second one for my sewing room. The first one is in my living room right now, shining light on my puzzle. Much easier to see with a nice bright light.

[CathyA]

Thanks rodeo and Birdie. So this one is like a floor stand? And it has a light too? Is it stable on the floor?

[Birdie]

This is the lamp I have. http://products.ottlite.com/p-59-easyview-floor-lamp.aspx

Yes, it is a floor lamp with a heavy base. I move it around a lot and it can be a little tippy, but once it is in place it is stable. I put it behind the sofa where I sit and bend it next to me so it shines on my work. I see they now have one with a clamp, magnifying glass and the light too.

[CathyA]

Thanks Birdie!

[freshstart]

This is the lamp I have. http://products.ottlite.com/p-59-easyview-floor-lamp.aspx



When I lost vision in my left eye, reading was so hard, these lamps, although I got mine from Verilux, saved the day, I bought them slowly when on sale and they are beside any chair I am likely to read in. Sign up for emails, they have constant sales. They have an attached little tray you can remove that would hold a drink and a book, phone. That is good because I have some chairs with no room for end tables, thus no place for a lamp and no place to set your stuff down. They have an attached magnifier but I haven't bought one. Crafters turned me on to these lamps, very thankful. And the bulbs have all lasted since 2006.

if anyone knows of a magnifier that clips onto a hardcover book that actually works, please let me know.

They sell knock offs that do not have the grid over the bulb to filter the light, those ones are like being examined by the KGB they are so bright. I have a few, hoping they would be just as good as the Verilux ones, they are not. Then again, how much can you expect from after-Christmas sale 75% off lamp from CVS, bonehead for buying them.

also Verilux has lamps by special need, i.e.: they point out lamps good for crafting or low vision.

[lac]

I take my pattern to Office Depot and have them make a copy at a larger size so the stitches can be more easily seen.

I also use an Ottlite with a spotlight bulb in it. Make a huge difference with brightening up my workspace. Good luck!

[CathyA]

Hmmm......I've never heard of that. You just take it to the customer service desk and they enlarge it for you?

[Birdie]

I bought a full page magnifier years ago and I see that they are still sold. I just checked on Amazon and they have one that magnifies to 300% and another at 200%. The two pack of 300% is $9.99, though they are 8 1/2 x 11, which is the size of standard copy or letter paper. http://tinyurl.com/plbtpgq

There might be other sizes and I see some are lighted too. Try a google search on magnifying page or book and see what else you get.

[awakenedsoul]

Hmmm......I've never heard of that. You just take it to the customer service desk and they enlarge it for you?

Yes. I'm probably going to do that with one of my knitting patterns. It's easy for them. They have the machines.