Within the first week of my speed-stir, I dumped the testing solution AND the stirrer magnet into the kitchen sink. The stirrer landed in plain-sight in the garbage disposal. That could've been a windfall, if my hands were slightly smaller and I hadn't just taken possession of the house from the former owners. Perhaps you've heard of them: Lilly & Herman Munster. Maybe she was only related to Lilly. I don't know. They both decorated with cobwebs. The thought of the surprises awaiting me inside that plumbing... ugh
My shop-vac and anything resembling a useful too was still packed in the garage, so instead I put a sock over the tube of the regular vacuum and picked the magnet up with that. Smart, huh? Apropos of nothing, you'd be a amazed at how much water your vacuum can suck out of a kitchen sink drain.
Method Two: (this whole thread speaks to the affection we all have for those crazy little Speedstirs!) I changed venues to the bathroom sink and used my fingers as strainers. Effective, but it makes my hands smell for about an hour, and no amount of hand-washing helps.
Method Three: I had unpacked one of those fancy decanting carafes with a stainless mesh screen that sits on top to catch particulates in red wine. I'm more of a beer/vodka/white wine guy, so that mini strainer was quite a score.