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Paradise Fibers- Our Handmade Yarn Swift!
If you've ever found yourself tangled in a web of yarn or spent hours manually winding skeins, it's time to meet your new crafting companion: the yarn swift. This ingenious tool is a game-changer for knitters, crocheters, and fiber artists alike, transforming the often tedious task of preparing yarn into a smooth, effortless process.
- What Exactly is a Yarn Swift?
A yarn swift is a device designed to hold a hank or skein of yarn while you wind it into a ball. This swift really helps keep your yarn from getting tangled. It turns smoothly so you'll have a beautiful yarn cake to work from in no time!
-Types of Yarn Swifts
We have two types of swifts in our shop to choose from:
1. Umbrella Swifts: The most common type, these look like an open umbrella and can be made of wood or metal. They're adjustable to accommodate various skein sizes and can be clamped to a table or stand freely. - Find an umbrella swift on our website here
2. Tabletop Swifts: These are typically wooden and rotate on a horizontal axis. They're more compact and work well for crafters with limited space. - find our Tabletop swift on our website here
Why get a Swift?
Manually stretching and pulling yarn can cause unnecessary stress on the fibers, potentially weakening or misshaping your precious skeins. A swift allows the yarn to unwind smoothly, maintaining its integrity. It will also get you knitting/crocheting a lot faster as it will be rolled up much quicker than if you were to do it by hand.
Gone are the days of asking a patient family member to hold a skein between their hands or attempting to wind yarn draped over chair backs. A swift turns yarn preparation from a chore into a quick, enjoyable process.
We do also have a Swift and Ball Winder here!
Versatility
Swifts aren't just for one type of yarn. Whether you're working with delicate merino wool, robust cotton, or luxurious silk, a swift can handle various yarn types and weights.
How to Use a Yarn Swift
We will share our Youtube video down below of how our swift comes in the mail, how to put it together and how to get started winding up your yarn. but we will also share some steps here on how to use it as well.
Using a yarn swift is surprisingly simple:
1. Attach the swift to a stable surface
2. Open or adjust the swift to fit your skein
3. Place the hank of yarn onto the swift
4. Use a ball winder (or wind by hand) to transform the skein into a neat, center-pull ball
This swift was created custom by Paradise Fibers here in Spokane, WA here at the shop! We believe it to be the best swift on the market with excellent tension and smooth action. This yarn swift also features fully adjustable arms to fit small to large skeins of yarn. Even the largest skeins in our shop were a breeze to wind. Take a peek at the video to see the this awesome swift in action!
Pro Tip
While not absolutely necessary, pairing a yarn swift with a ball winder can make yarn preparation even more efficient, creating perfectly uniform yarn cakes in minutes.
A yarn swift might seem like a specialized tool, but for serious crafters, it's an investment that saves time, prevents frustration, and protects your precious yarn. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced fiber artist, a swift can elevate your crafting experience.
So the next time you're faced with a beautiful hank of yarn, don't dread the winding process—embrace it with a yarn swift by your side!