Amish Swift Vs Umbrella Swift – A Complete Rundown

These are the most popular styles of yarn swift. Which is the best?

Here’s a rundown of the styles and best models.

Amish Vs Umbrella Swift Feat Img

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The Amish style is on a tabletop. The umbrella swift clamps to a surface.

I reviewed and updated this post on July 13, 2022.

Table Of Contents

What yarn do you use to crochet? See my post.

Best Amish Swift

Stanwood Needlecraft Tabletop Amish Style Swift

Stanwood Needlecraft Tabletop Amish Style Swift Check Price On Amazon

Stanwood is known for its umbrella style swifts. This model is made with the same quality, attention to detail, and hardwood.

An excellent tabletop yarn swift.

  • Solid wood
  • Smooth surface, sanded and polished
  • Holds skeins between 2 1/2 – 6 ft circumference

Pros

  • Non-slip pads
  • Easy assembly and disassembly
  • Convenient storage
  • Spins smoothly

Cons

  • Friction when spinning
  • Squeaks

CHIAOGOO Amish Design Wooden Yarn Swift

Chiaogoo Amish Swift

Chiaogoo makes this superb quality swift made with solid wood. One excellent choice on the market for wooden yarn swifts.

Features

  • Wood
  • Suitable for a permanent or temporary home setup

Pros

  • Four adjustable pegs to hold hank sizes
  • Non-skid pads to prevent accidental slipping
  • Quick and easy assembly
  • Last for years
  • Spins smoothly
  • Cheap
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Not sturdy
  • Makes a squeaking noise

Best Umbrella Swift

Stanwood Wooden Umbrella Yarn Swift

Stanwood Wooden Umbrella Yarn Swift Check Price On Amazon

This Stanwood umbrella is a popular model of yarn swift.

A quiet workhorse.

Features

  • Sanded and polished birch
  • Holds a skein up to 6 ft in circumference
  • Medium-sized
  • Clamp fits surfaces of up to 1 3/4″ thick

Pros

  • Excellent quality materials
  • Minimal assembly
  • Efficient
  • Lasts a long time

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Limited clamping capacity
  • Sometimes the screw is faulty, but Stanwood replaces it
  • The umbrella slips if you don’t secure it

Knitter’s Pride Swift

Knitter's Pride Swift Check Price On Amazon

Made with quality materials, this is smooth.

Features

  • Wood
  • Holds a yarn hank of up to 60″ in circumference

Pros

  • The adjustable clamp fits most surfaces
  • Stable
  • Smooth when winding yarn
  • Quiet

Cons

  • Expensive

What Is A Swift for Yarn?

A swift for yarn is used with a yarn winder to wind yarn from a hank or skein into a neat yarn cake.

Yarn cakes are easier to knit with, and less prone to getting tangled.

Wood Vs Metal Umbrella Swift

Differences

  • Metal ones are aluminum
  • Wood ones are hardwoods like birch or maple
  • Metal ones are cheaper
  • Wooden ones last longer and are more hard-wearing
  • They’re expensive to maintain, but they look lovely
  • Metal ones combine metal and plastic

Similarities

  • Any style of yarn swift
  • Available in varying price ranges and sizes

Looking to crochet something new? Read my post on the best yarn for socks.

Amish Swift Vs Umbrella Swift

Here’s a rundown of the differences and similarities of the styles.

The Differences

  • The amish sits flat on a tabletop
  • The other clamps to a surface
  • An umbrella swift is more comfortable to assemble and less bulky
  • It’s also easier to storage
  • The umbrella expands to fit any size of yarn
  • The Amish has adjustable pegs
  • The Amish don’t require a clamp, less likely to damage a surface
  • Some find an umbrella one more comfortable to use
  • Amishes hold larger hanks than the other option

The Similarities

  • They’re designed to hold the skein or hank while you wind it
  • They spin on a flat axis
  • They’re available in plastic and metal or hardwood
  • Prices to suit every budget

Kristine Kelly from Ewe University gives a rundown of the styles.

Hopefully, this comparison of these two styles of yarn swifts helped you.

Which do you prefer, and why?

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About The Author

Jodie Morgan From Knit Like Granny

Jodie Morgan - (Founder)

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Lives In: Chiang Mai, Thailand


Author: Jodie Morgan is a passionate crocheter and blogger with 17+ years of experience currently living in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Taught by her mother, she fell in love with crocheting after her first child was born. When she’s not crocheting, you’ll find her enjoying a cup of coffee with cream, or sharing helpful resources and tips with the online crochet community. Please say hello, or see what she's making on socials.

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