mighty

Awesome, thank you so mcuh.

grocifer

I think I recall somebody said to go over the writing on the needle with a sharpie pen and it would make is easier to read. I haven't tried it yet.........

denveremerson

Thanks for all your replies. I think I like the tomato idea best. Then I'll know what size it is and that it is used. :-)

spiker_man

I work for the importer of SCHMETZ Household Needles into the North American Market. We have asked SCHMETZ to re-introduce the little magnifying area on the top section of the plastic cover. We're not sure why it was ever discontinued. Unfortunately I don't have any time table as to if, and when, they may reintroduce this feature.

bearisgray

I wish there was a gauge - like for knitting needles - that I could stick a needle in - and then I could determine what size the needle is.

I can't read that fine print either. About all I can tell is if I have a spike (like a denim needle) or a finer one.

Silver Needle

I like the color coded ones so if they aren't I use fingernail polish & create my own. Heck you can even get green fingernail polish now.

Hemlock Tea

I've done this with other items with embossed/ engraved writing, it works well. The trick is not to press hard so you don't get ink in the impressions.

totosmom

Nope, you're NOT the only one. Lately I find that I reach into my sewing box often for my ... magnifying glass. It came in an accessory box for one of my used machines and honestly, I simply cannot read that fine print without it. In fact, sometimes I can't read it with it!

Tartan

I think part of the problem is that the needle and the writing are too shiny. I think the sharpie idea is good but I think I will deliberately write where the numbers are and quickly wipe the ink off. I think it might leave enough sharpie marker ink in the impressions to make it easier to read? I'm going to give it a try and see how it goes.

Tartan

Okay, sharpie in the writing made no difference. I was able to read the size by using my Bernina magnifying glass that fastens on my machine. I usually only replace a needle if I break one so I guess I'll just have to make sure to leave them in the little case or stick them through a piece of paper into my pin cushion. You'd think needle manufacturers would realize that the numbers are too tiny, wouldn't you?