How to choose a magnifying glass for needlework?

Many craftswomen in the process of embroidery, sewing or knitting use a magnifying glass for needlework, which is a special magnifying glass. In this way, you can see the smallest details. The use of a magnifying glass allows you to protect your eyes from excessive stress and creates conditions for a calm creative process without negative consequences for the organs of vision.

A magnifier is a device that allows you to examine the smallest objects by magnifying them many times. The device was invented by Anthony Van Leeuwenhoek, it was he who first polished the mirror so as to present this miracle invention to the world. There are many different types of magnifiers available at any stationery or craft store these days. Their design is extremely simple: on the one hand, the glass has a slightly convex shape, and on the other, it is flat. For doing creative work, they mainly use illuminated magnifiers.

It is important that they meet a number of important criteria exactly.

• The design must provide mandatory protection against chips and scratches.
• Such magnifiers should be comfortable in the palm of your hand or stably placed on a horizontal surface, thus, your hands will be free, this allows you to engage in creative work without interruption.
• It is optimal if the backlight has its own independent power source.

The main advantage of a handicraft magnifier is its extreme simplicity.The product has a convenient clothespin, thanks to which it can be fixed on any horizontal and vertical surfaces. A slightly more sophisticated device is a creative desk magnifier, but it is precisely this that allows you to provide a detailed examination of even the smallest elements.

Other advantages of such equipment include:

• freeing both hands for efficient work;
• the ability to use at any time of the day, including evening and night, so as not to interfere with the resting household members;
• a significant reduction in the load on the organs of vision.

A magnifying glass for craftswomen is usually classified according to several criteria. The most common criterion is their performance. Creative magnifying glasses are available in several formats:

• desktop;
• forehead;
• on a small tripod;
• portable.

Depending on the type of the magnifying system, such options are distinguished.

• Simple lenses. This is the most primitive and common option, which involves the use of one positive lens. A similar model can be used in cases where a rare small increase is required.
• Double lens. In this case, the design is based on the use of two simple lenses that are not fixed to each other. This model provides maximum hue adjustment and allows the smallest details to be seen.
• Doublet achromat. A complete optical setup that works on the principle of high magnification. The design includes collecting and diffusing lenses.
• Triplet. In this case, three types of magnifying glasses are used at once, thereby preventing the possibility of image distortion. Such a device is relevant when carrying out work with an increased degree of accuracy.

Backlit models, in turn, are divided into two main categories: they can be LED or fluorescent. The first type has insignificant power consumption and a rather impressive operating mode, assuming operation for 50 thousand hours. The advantage of such equipment is non-blinking type of glow.

Luminescent backlighting is characterized by an increased degree of maintainability and a relatively good working resource - up to 20 thousand hours.

• Comparators - such a magnifier is additionally equipped with metallized sighting threads, which allow you to measure the exact parameters of holes, thread pitch and other characteristics of small elements.
• Loupes - the magnifier is usually attached to the frame of glasses or to the head. Due to this design, the master can free his hands in order to perform any operations. Such magnifying lamps are widely used among jewelers, watchmakers and toolmakers.
• Linen testers - this magnifier has a foldable stand, as well as an impressive grid near the base. It also contributes to the maximum release of the hands. Such equipment is indispensable for checking yarns in textiles.
• Hastings triplets - the magnifier has a fairly compact size and a flat field. It corrects the color rendering, therefore it is popular not only among needlewomen, but also among engravers and retouchers.
• Direct Measuring Microscopes - in a sense, a mini-microscope. It is indispensable if the work requires 20x magnification. The use of such a device allows you to detect the smallest scratches, chips, cracks and other surface defects.

When choosing the best magnifying glass for embroidery and other types of needlework, the emphasis should be on a few basic points. The distance from the lens to the object under study should be clarified.For example, when embroidering, it is best to take a loupe with a high magnification, but at the same time with a minimum working distance. Particular attention should be paid to the field of view, the depth of field is considered a fundamental factor.

Additionally, you should focus on the following points:

• focal length;
• type of lens coating;
• the ratio of the maximum size of the focal length to the length of the diagonal of the image.

For the maximum comfort of the craftsmen, many magnifiers have additional accessories, in particular, rotary tripods, all kinds of mounts, and clothespins are used. Thanks to them, you can give the magnifier a position for the most comfortable work. In many models, small stands are provided to ensure accurate fixation of the device and stability of its mechanism when working at a table. The presence of clothespins greatly facilitates the inspection of small parts.

In general, all these additional devices are largely help to increase productivity and speed of the creative process, and besides, ensure the safety of the entire work process.

In the next video, you will find an overview of the illuminated handicraft magnifier.