3 Types of Yarn Swifts and Recommendations for Every Stitcher

If you visit your favorite LYS and take a look around, there has been a major shift in how yarns are displayed. Fewer yarn companies are winding their yarns into balls, and more are choosing to display their final product in skeins. Hand-dyed yarns are almost always sold as skeins to better show off the colors, but now even factory-dyed yarns are being sold as lovely hanks that hang from hooks on yarn shop walls.

Most yarn shops will happily wind your newly purchased skeins of yarn into cakes so that the yarn can be easily knit with. But once your yarn has been caked up, it cannot be returned nor exchanged. So, many stitchers are choosing to forego the yarn shop winding and invest in a swift and ball winder so that they can wind at home. Having your own yarn swift and winder at home also helps when purchasing yarn from online retailers. Most online retailers won’t wind before shipping, or they charge an extra fee per skein wound.

Related: Lisa’s List: 12 Yarn Ball Types and How to Knit with Them

Choosing a Yarn Swift

When deciding on which swift to purchase, it is important to consider three things:

Swifts have a large range in price, but it is also important to know how much space you have to set up a swift and ball winder. You want to consider how easy it is to break down and put away in the event that it can’t be left out 24/7. Some swifts pack up easily and store away nicely and others take a bit more work.

Here are the three different types of swifts available and what you should consider when making your decision.

Tabletop Yarn Swift

Tabletop swifts have grown in popularity because of their gorgeous craftsmanship and reasonable pricing. The adjustable pegs allow for various-sized skeins and will meet the needs of all knitters and crocheters. Some tabletop swifts can also be mounted vertically on a wall and create a lovely usable piece of art in your craft room.

The downside to a tabletop swift is the amount of space the swift requires to set up. Because it sits low on a table, you need a large clear space for the swift to spin properly. The time to set up this swift is also a bit more than average. And if you have a pet that likes to steal your needles, be aware that the pegs can easily disappear or roll under a couch. Without the pegs to hold the skein in place, the swift is unusable.

We love The Mama Bear Plus by The Oregon Woodworkers. This swift is beautifully crafted in the USA and comes in a variety of solid hardwoods. It is well-made and is as functional as it is pretty. These swifts are truly works of art. (They also have a lifetime guarantee and free peg replacements.)

Umbrella Yarn Swift

An umbrella swift got its name because it opens similar to an umbrella. This contraption-looking swift is popular and can come in more expensive, but well-made handcrafted hardwoods or less expensive metal and plastic options. (They can be found on Amazon for as low as $15.99.)

The umbrella swift opens easily to hold large skeins of yarn and will work for all knitters and crocheters. The swift sets up quickly and packs away just as effortlessly. It is compact and stores easily if space is a concern. Keeping it safe in a swift bag is recommended so the rods do not get scratched or broken.

Related: How to Hand Wind a Skein of Yarn

To use an umbrella swift, they need to clamp onto some sort of sturdy table surface. A solid table is needed with a wide enough lip to securely clamp onto an edge. While it doesn’t sit directly on a table, it still requires space to open and spin unhindered, so be sure your swift space is clear of any obstacles.

Our favorite is the Lacis Umbrella Swift. This swift is easy to use and requires very little effort to set up or break down. It stores easily in a small space and does not have any pieces or parts that can be lost. This popular swift is made of quality hardwood in Berkley, California, and is a must-have for serious stitchers.

Vertical Yarn Swift

The vertical swift is the least common and most expensive swift currently on the market. Most vertical swifts that are cheap are not well made. This style swift is designed to be used regularly and so spending the extra money on a solid swift that can take lots of use is worth it. Vertical swifts do require that you have space to accommodate the large apparatus permanently because it is not designed to be taken down and moved often.

Crazy Monkey Creations is well-known among yarn dyers for its vertical swifts and yarn winders. If you’re ready to invest, the vertical swift is available in three sizes and would be just as useful to a knitter or crocheter as a yarn dyer. The softer tension on the yarn as it’s wound makes for a cake that has more loft and is easier to work from. 

Whichever swift you decide to purchase, make sure you check the reviews people have left. Don’t be afraid to spend a few extra dollars and purchase one that will suit your needs and last you for many years and thousands of yards of fabulous yarn.

Do you love your yarn swift? We’d love to hear about it in the comments!

Krista Ann is a nomadic knitter. She travels with her husband and their fur baby, Phinny, in an RV while she designs knits and teaches at yarn shops along the way. Instagram @explorewithknitsy | Website www.explorewithknitsy | The Knitting Rockstar Academy www.knittingrockstar.com