How to Make a Vertical Yarn Swift

Keep yarn organized with a homemade yarn swift.

A craft room is often a place bustling with creative ideas and materials. Unfortunately, all of this creativity can lead to a big mess. Yarn skeins may be bundled in baskets, boxes and odd cubbies. Organize your yarn by making a homemade yarn swift. You may already have the necessary supplies, or these can be readily found at your local hardware store. By mounting the yarn swift vertically, your yarn will be easily accessible without cluttering another tabletop.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Pencil
• 2 by 1 inch board, 8 feet long
• Sandpaper
• Chisel
• Hand drill
• 3/8 inch drill bit
• 3/8 inch wooden dowel
• Wood glue
• 5 inch long hex bolt
• Four 7/16 wing nuts
• 3/8 inch lock nut
• Hammer
• Nails

Instructions

1. 

   Use a hand saw to cut the arms of the yarn swift.

   Measure, mark and cut two pieces of the board 32 inches long. Measure, mark and cut two pieces of the board 20 inches long. Sand the raw edges.

2. 

   Notch the arms together.

   Chisel the center inch of both 32 inch boards with a half-inch deep notch. Chisel the center inch of both 20 inch boards with a half-inch deep notch.

3. 

   Keep the drill positioned vertically.

   Turn the notches of the two 32 inch boards toward each other. Fit the boards together creating an X. Drill a three eighths inch hole in the center of the X. Repeat this process with the 20 inch boards.

4. 

   Drill four holes for the pegs.

   Place a pencil mark two inches from each end of the 32 inch boards. Drill a 3/8 inch hole at each mark without penetrating through the board.

5. 

   Sand the rough edges allowing the yarn to move freely.

   Cut four wooden dowel pieces, each measuring 6 inches. Sand the raw edges. Glue the dowel sections into the four holes on the 32 inch X.

6. 

   Mount the yarn swift to the wall.

   Slide a 5 inch long hex bolt into the 20-inch wooden X. Secure the pieces together tightly with a wing nut. Slide the four washers onto the bolt. Place the 32 inch wooden X onto the bolt. Secure the pieces together with a 3/8 inch lock nut, leaving one-eighth-inch free to allow movement of the swift. Mount the yarn swift vertically to the wall of your craft room or the leg of your craft table with a hammer and nails.