I've always loved cross stitch. It's a relaxing hobby that allows me to create beautiful things. But recently, I noticed something was making it harder to enjoy: my eyesight just wasn't what it used to be. The tiny holes in the fabric started blurring, and I found myself squinting more and more. I knew I needed a solution if I wanted to keep stitching comfortably.
I realized I could see 16-count Aida cloth at a comfortable distance without glasses, but something still felt off. Was I supposed to use a magnifying glass on top of the fabric even when I wore my glasses? It was all very confusing. It's frustrating because I can still do it, but it's not nearly as enjoyable as it used to be.
Then, I remembered a conversation I had with my mom a while back. She mentioned that as she got older, she started needing reading glasses. Normal aging, she explained, makes the muscles that focus the eyes a little stiffer, which affects the ability to see things like fine print and, yes, even the holes in cross-stitch fabric! It also affects your night vision. Suddenly, my struggles made a lot more sense.
That's when I decided to try reading glasses specifically for cross stitch. I already wore reading glasses, but I wondered if a stronger pair would help. And it turns out, it did! I found that a stronger pair than my normal ones made a world of difference. It was like everything suddenly snapped into focus.
I even started experimenting with different strengths of reading glasses depending on the project I was working on. For instance, when I'm working on a piece with smaller stitches, I use a stronger magnification. For larger stitches, a weaker magnification is sufficient. It's all about finding what works best for your eyes and the specific project.
I started with a low magnification, like 1.0, for 36-count fabric and higher. Now that I'm a bit older, I use a 3.5 for Aida cloth and a 4.0 for Lugana or linen. Amazingly, I can still stitch 40-count fabric with them. Finding the right magnification is key to comfortable and accurate stitching.
With multiple pairs of glasses for different stitching projects, I needed a better way to store them. I was tired of them getting scratched or lost. That's when I discovered the Mozaer Eyewear collection. I needed something practical and protective.
I found the perfect solution: the Diving Material Glasses Box Eye Wear Accessories Zipper Wallet Reading Eyewear Case Storage Box Protective Cover 1. It's a zippered wallet specifically designed for storing eyewear. I love that it's made of diving material, which provides excellent protection against scratches and bumps. It's also lightweight and easy to carry around, which is perfect for taking my projects on the go. This glasses box from Mozaer Eyewear has really helped me keep my different pairs of reading glasses organized and safe.
Here are some tips I've learned along the way to help you find the perfect reading glasses for your cross stitch projects: