Stuff We Like: Crafting and Reading in the Dark

This month’s Stuff We like comes from LittyN, who has a request:

So you did a gift guide for crafty folks in 2021, but some of the links are dead and it didn’t address a question that was raised as I was a passenger in a long drive back over the holidays — what’s the best neck light for knitting (or crocheting) in twilight or encroaching darkness? Needs to be not distracting to the driver and would love rechargeable batteries and flexible wrapping.

And it made me think that I would like a “Stuff We Like that would be good for these early-dark-onset days.” For me, I always make sure to have a very bright headlamp in my bag because the darkness is usually there as I walk dimly lit streets amid ice and snow. I have this pricey one, because I also use it for hiking, but others may have recommendations for cheaper ones:

Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp, $55 at REI

LittyN, we are ON IT.

Elyse: I prefer this to a head lamp as I can look up at the TV, etc, without shining my light at anyone.

Glocusent Book Light, $22

This lamp from Glocusent comes in blue, pink, purple, green, or silver, and has three color temperatures and three brightness levels.

There is also a Lightweight lamp from Glocusent, which is $13 and comes in black.

Glocusent Lightweight Booklamp, $13

Shana: I have a similar one, but mine isn’t purple so now I think I need to buy Elyse’s!

Kiki: I have the same one Elyse posted and really love that you can change the warmth!

Ok, I think I have to buy one, especially for working on embroidery when the side lamp isn’t enough. Incredibly small holes on Aida get smaller at night, I swear.

I noticed while researching this one that a few people recommended the Lumos Knitting Light:

Lumos Crafting Light, $55

The Lumos is twice as much, but one person who preferred it specifically mentioned that the arms were slightly longer on the Lumos, and that the Lumos weighs less around the neck. I’m confused because the Lumos is listed at 5.3 ounces or 150 grams, while the Glocusent details say it weighs 137 grams, or 4.8 ounces.

There’s also a magnifying wearable task lamp. One of the ladies in my quilting guild who does a lot of hand quilting has a similar one.

Magnifying Glass with Light, $24

I had to include this image because on the top right – that’s not knitting!

While this isn’t necessarily for dark cars and crafting, I have this lamp on my sewing table and it is so helpful for matching fabrics, lighting the mat when I’m cutting, and adding extra light to the throat of my sewing machine:

Verilux Full Spectrum LED Desk Lamp, $60

I have a much older version of this lamp which has only two levels of brightness. With this one, you can adjust temperature and brightness, and there’s a USB port on one side, too.

You know, for charging the lamp you wear around your neck. MORE LIGHT. MORE LIGHT!

If you’re looking for a small light in a dark location where there aren’t a lot of surfaces, an adhesive button LED may work perfectly.

Adhesive Button LED lights, 18 for $18

You can put these in under sink cabinets, linen closets, pantry walls, under the hood of a car – anywhere where a small amount of light would be helpful. They are roughly the size of a quarter, and folks use them for crafting, too.

If you’re looking for a book light, I bought one to illuminate my digital notepad:

Rechargeable Clip-on LED Book Light, $19

I like that the lamp head is adjustable and the beam of light is very wide. It also has three different brightness levels. The clip is great, too. I’ve used it with a book and on my notepad case, and it doesn’t move when I don’t want it to.

(If you’re wondering what a digital notepad is, it’s an Eink tablet you can write and annotate on. You might have heard of the Remarkable tablet – that’s one example. I have a Supernote Nomad and I love this thing. I had to send it back after having it for a few weeks due to an issue with the power button, and I missed it while it was gone! I use it for writing, daily pages, taking notes while I work, and for some reading, too. If you’d be interested in learning more, I’m happy to talk more about it!)

One more tip, though it’s not about crafting and scheming in the dark: I love this set of clear plastic zip up bags. I use them for toiletries when flying: put all the forbidden liquids in one bag, place it near the top of my carry on, and toss it in the bin while going through security. No digging and scraping my hands on a zipper? Win!

But then I realized they were freaking awesome for traveling with embroidery projects and supplies, and for pieces of a quilt I haven’t sewn yet. The clear sides make it easy to find whatever skein of floss or piece of fabric I’m looking for:

Clear Zip Top Bags, 4 for $10

I used to make zipper bags for my projects out of scrap fabric, and I still have them, but one time my drink spilled and everything, including the bag was soaked. The stuff in the plastic bag was all good. I’m pretty clumsy, though, so your mileage may vary.

And finally: a member of a Facebook (ugh) group for crafters I’m in pointed out that the recent trend of a “house purse” or bag where you carry your needed items around the house also works for crafters, and that these felt diaper caddies are terrific for toting all the crafty goodness around – including to the car!

Cute Castle 2 pack Diaper Caddy Organizer, 2 for $13-20

The regular size is 9″x 13″ (22cm x 33cm) and the large is 16″ x “10” (40cm x 25cm). They’re both very lightweight, and have a lot of compartments and pockets on the outside. The base is wide enough and the sides firm enough that it’ll stand upright on the floor or on the seat next to you.

What nighttime crafting and reading accessories have made your life easier? And if you have a request for Stuff We Like, please let me know!