NOTE:
I received an email from the CraftOptics folks letting me know that only two of their reviews were provided by folks who received free products. The remainder of their reviews are from paying customers. Also, the glasses, with the light, weight only 55 grams so that’s not heavy at all.
There are craft glasses that magnify and have a light. The company that makes them uses your own prescription and, knowing what I know now, I wish I had ordered those from Day 1. They’re VERY expensive but for what I’ve spent on magnifying lamps, I could easily have purchased the glasses. One thing I’ve thought about – IF I stick with my no buying this year, maybe my reward at the end of the year, may be to order a pair of CraftOptics. My main concern with them, aside from the cost, is the weight. I don’t even know if they’re heavy but if they are, and I’m looking down to cross stitch, that could be a problem. There are lots of good reviews. I’ll definitely do more research before ordering them. They do have a 45 day trial program but again, more research is needed.
Right now, I feel like the recurring problem with my stitching is my eyesight. I have several comfy chairs. I have all the supplies I could need. I have plenty of time with not too many demands on my time . . I could do better with time management, but seeing the tiny holes . . that’s a big problem that I haven’t completely resolved.
I do have several sets of “glasses”, some that clamp onto my glasses, some that the whole thing fits onto my head and over my glasses, some that are worn separately but still go over the glasses. There are so many options and none of them are terrible but so far, none of them have been close to perfect.
When I saw the eye doctor a couple of weeks ago, I took a piece of 40 count linen with me. Together, we decided on a pair of glasses that would work with the magnifier but be a bit stronger than my every day glasses, and they’re single vision so I’m not having to find just the right spot to look through. Of course, that means looking across the room with them makes my head feel like it’s going to explode. I can wear them down on my nose a bit, see over them (my distance vision isn’t bad) and still see to cross stitch.
I picked them up today while we were out and I’ve only worn them a few minutes while stitching so I can’t yet make a decision about what I think. I’ll report back later.
Deb Praus says
Judy,
Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville fame has an eye disease and uses these. Get in touch with her and I am sure she will give you an honest review. I think you can even search her blog where she talks about them.
Deb
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I did know that she has them.
Cherie Moore says
I have them and while they are a bit heavy, it’s due more to my very very strong prescription and not the light. They work well but definitely look a bit nerdy!
Cindy F says
Jo of Jos Country Junction posted awhile back about getting some glasses from Zenni that had her regular prescription on top and then the bifocal at 3.5 magnification for use when cross-stitching. I’ve been thinking about doing that. I have progressives now but would likely just get the lined ones for that. I find myself looking over my glasses and not use any magnification at times but then again I haven’t tried the linen yet.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I looked at Zenni and probably should have spent more time trying to figure it out but it seemed confusing with the numbers they wanted to know from the prescription so I gave up.
Cindy F says
Yikes….I haven’t spent time there but will take a look at some point. I’ll let you know how it goes when I do!
danielle says
I got a pair of lighted magnifying glasses for Christmas. I tried them and thought, ehh, waste of money. Then I put them on while stitching and oh mama, where have you been all my life! Because I put them on over my glasses, they sit down at the end of my nose which means I can look over the top of them to see the TV and whatever else I need to look at!
Lynn says
Right now a really good Ott light and 4.5 readers over on progressive glasses is working. A magnifying light feels so awkward.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
It does and Vince’s chair is across from mine and it’s always shining in his eyes. I may try the readers I have here over my glasses and see what I think. Thanks.