How to Use a Yarn Swift

An antique swift

Swifts come in wood, or metal. In the 19th century there were elaborate Ivory swifts. If you are lucky enough to have inherited one of these I suggest you don't use it. They are worth many thousands! A simple modern wood or metal one will set you back about $75, but if you do a lot of knitting, it is well worth the investment.

Set your swift on a table with a lot of room around it. My swift has a clamp to steady it, and I attach it to my ironing board so there is plenty of room to move.

The swift is constructed of a central pole surrounded by an adjustable arrangement of bars which unfold in an accordion like fashion. This is called the umbrella, and you can see why. There is an adjustment nut or screw on the pole, either over or under the umbrella .

Your swift adjusts to the circumference of your skein. Make sure the nut at the top of the central pole is loose. Uncoil your yarn. It will look like a large circle of yarn tied in several places.

Place your yarn around the middle or "waist" of the swift, and adjust the pole screw until your yarn is fairly snug. Tighten the screw to secure the position of the swift.

Now untie the yarn that is holding the hank together and find one of the ends. Start making a ball of yarn and watch your swift spin merrily as your skein unwinds!