Needlepoint accessories to help older sewers

by Marie
(USA)

Hi...I have been doing needlepoint for years but as I am getting older I am finding some challenges that are preventing me from continuing to enjoy doing my needlepoint.

My question is: what accessories might be available to help?

Specifically, my hands are very small and now have arthritis in them. I find it most difficult to pull a needle back through a canvas that already has some threads on it (this would be where there is layering of colors in the design perhaps).

Also, I am having difficulty seeing...I have purchased a special light, and use reading glasses....but is there some additional type of visual aid that can be used?

I used to enjoy needlepoint so much, but now I find because of these two hurdles I rarely pick up my sewing because of the frustration I experience. I doubt that I am alone in this frustration, and I hoped you might have some suggestions that would help me to continue sewing. Thank you!

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starstarstarstarstar 		Magnifier problems
by: Amva

I found using a magnifier difficult because of disability so I took my embroidery to my optician. She set me up a pair of glasses to my prescription with extra magnification set to the correct focal length for the position I hold my work.

A cheaper alternative, (or if you do not need glasses normally) is to buy a pair of cheap 'off-the-peg' reading glasses. Wear them over your normal glasses. 2.5 or 3.5 magnification should work well, but take a piece of embroidery with you to try them out.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Could these help?
by: Heather Cawte

I have some of the same problems. Can I suggest going to Amazon and looking up "rubber thimbles"? They help enormously when I can’t easily pull my needle through.

I’d also recommend a headband magnifier. Mine comes with 8 different lens strengths - it’s by Carson, around $20, also on Amazon (no affiliation).

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