Welcome to my complete guide to Amish swifts. If you’re not sure what an Amish swift is or don’t know which one to buy, don’t worry. In this article, I explain what Amish swifts are, how to assemble and use them, and the best models.
Read on for more information on what these are, and how they’re sure to make your crocheting easier.
Table Of Contents
- What Are Amish Yarn Swifts?
- How To Use An Amish Style Swift
- The Best Amish Yarn Swifts
- Stanwood Needlecraft Tabletop Amish Style
- CHIAOGOO Amish Wooden Yarn Swift
- Large Hard Maple Yarn Swift
- Beka Yarn Swift
What Are Amish Yarn Swifts?
This type of swift has a table-top design. So it sits on a table instead of being clamped on like an umbrella swift.
The two main types of yarn swifts are Amish style yarn swifts and umbrella style yarn swifts.
If you compare an Amish swift with an umbrella style swift, you’ll notice the former has a base consisting of two short pieces of wood that fit together in the centre. The bottom makes it possible to set it on the table without having to clamp it.
Another feature making the two different is the yarn swift with the umbrella design has a spinning rack at the top where the yarn goes.
The Amish swift, however, has two long pieces of wood on top of the base, set diagonally across each other. Those pieces have multiple holes where four pegs fit. You wrap the yarn around the four pins.
How To Use An Amish Style Swift
Assembly
Note: These instructions apply only to the Stanwood and ChiaoGoo yarn swifts. To watch the assembly instructions for the Maple yarn swift by FASC, click here. To see video instructions for the Beka Yarn Swift, click here.
Here is an excellent tutorial by Tamara from Moogly on Youtube if you’d prefer to watch rather than read.
Parts:
- Short wooden pieces x2
- Long wooden plank pieces with multiple holes x2
- Pegs (all the same size) x4
- Shorter peg x1
Step 1. Take the two shorter pieces (the base). They both have a notch in the centre. One with a gap facing up and the other has a gap facing down. The latter has a hole at the top. Fit them together.
Step 2. Take the short peg and place it into the hole at the top of the base, right at the tip.
Step 3. Get the long pieces. Make sure the holes are facing up on both (otherwise, the pegs won’t fit properly). Put them together as you did with the base. They should look like a cross.
Place them over the peg in the base (there should be a hole for the peg in the two arms).
Step 4. Take the four pegs and slot them into the holes on the arms. Make sure they are in the same position for all four sides. Otherwise, the yarn won’t fit properly. The pegs hold the hank in place while you wind.
Note: Why are there multiple holes on the arms? To fit different circumferences of rings of yarn. The bigger the hank, the further you move the pegs
Using The Tabletop Yarn Swift
Once you untwist your yarn hank, you’re ready to put it on your swift.
Place your untwisted hank onto the pegs. Adjust how tight the yarn is by moving the pegs as necessary. Ensure each one is in the same position. Cut off the ties keeping the hank together.
Take care to notice if your yarn is twisted. If so, untwist and make the yarn as even as you can.
If you’re using a yarn winder, attach the end you want to wind from into the two holes, and then into the little notches on top of the winder’s cylinder. Start winding. Everything is ready to start turning your yarn into a cake!
The Best Amish Yarn Swifts
Stanwood Needlecraft Tabletop Amish Style
This Stanwood Amish swift is a functional and straightforward model that’s small and portable. Useful for a variety of different sized hanks. This is an excellent choice if you have limited space.
Features:
- Made of solid wood
- Super smooth
- Holds skeins between 2 1/2 – 6 ft. in circumference
- Four non-slip pads on the bottom
- Quickly to assemble and take apart
Pros
- Holds various sizes of yarn hanks
- Straightforward to put together
- Pegs go in and out of slots smoothly
- No rough bits or splinters on the wood
- The manufacturer provides clear instructions for assembly
- Fits flat back into its box when taken apart
- Spins smoothly, without squeaking
- Takes up less room compared to an umbrella swift
- Gets the job done quickly
- It doesn’t slide off the table when in use
Cons
- Be warned, when you pick up the yarn swift, it falls apart.
- Over time, the arms may not spin as smoothly as they once did, which makes friction.
CHIAOGOO Amish Wooden Yarn Swift
The CHIAOGOO Amish style swift has a smooth wooden surface, doesn’t slide, and holds various sizes of hanks. Its small size and portability make it an excellent choice if you don’t have space for a full yarn winding setup.
Features
- Measurement guide on arms for different sizes of hanks
- Four non-stick pads to prevent sliding
- Made of solid wood
- Four adjustable pegs
Pros
- Affordable
- Simple design
- Sturdy
- Easier to handle compared to a clamp based swift
- Disassembles quickly and easily
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Doesn’t slide on surfaces
- Spins smoothly and quietly without any grinding or snagging
Cons
- Slightly difficult to store
Large Hard Maple Yarn Swift
This table-top style yarn swift manufactured by Fiber Arts Supply Co in the USA, this is the first product this company ever made, back in 2007. Made of hard maple, and is jumbo and a heavy duty size, a real workhorse.
Features
- Instruction manual included
- Solid sanded maple wood
- Ball bearings to make the swift spin smoothly
- Four black rubber feet on the base
Pros
- Low price
- Spins smoothly
- No yarn snagging
- Sturdy
- Easy to assemble and disassemble
- No tipping or wobbling
- Made in the USA
- Guaranteed to last for years
Cons
- Manual assembly required before use, but not too difficult
Beka Yarn Swift
This Beka Yarn Swift is excellent if you have a long term yarn winding setup. Although not collapsible and rather bulky, it looks lovely if displayed in your yarn winding station. This swift holds many hank sizes, so suitable for most of your yarns.
Features
- Made of hard maple wood
- Tangle-free winding
- Weighs 3 pounds
- Instructions included
Pros
- Holds skeins up to 72 inches
- Looks attractive
- Sturdy
- Ball bearings to make the swift spin smoothly
- Easy to assemble with no tools
Cons
- Not collapsible
- Sometimes snags yarn
- Large and takes up space
Hopefully, this post helped you learn a bit more about this type of yarn swift, and the best models available.
Do you know of any products I haven’t covered worth a mention? Let me know down below. Or if you already have one of these, what do you like about them? What do you prefer about this style of swift?
