The other day I was feeding the baby when my husband, Brian, came in and asked, “Do you still have that pattern?” I have no idea what he’s talking about, of course. At first I thought he wanted me to make him something but it turned out to be the other way around. He wanted the woodworking plans for a tabletop yarn swift. I’m thinking it’s been years since I asked for one but I’m not about to say anything now. Come to think of it, I have been mentioning lately that I have a lot of skeins of yarn waiting to be spun up. I’m sure Brian is picturing having to hold the skeins of yarn with his arms straight out while I spin endless balls of yarn with my ball winder.
So we dig up the plans and he goes to the hardware store. The materials cost under $5. Basically some wood, a bolt and a wing nut. The swift consists of two main pieces with a small block of wood in between so it will spin easier. The top piece is a large cross with peg holes drilled in the arms. There are dowel rods that you move to keep the skein of yarn snug.
We tested it this evening. With the addition of a couple washers and some waxing to reduce friction, it works wonderfully. I don’t know if it works as well as a commercial yarn swift but I’m sure the difference, if any, isn’t much.
Here’s the pattern he used. He did make a few changes but they are all minor.
crystal
Ana
Working out Kinks and Fingering Yarn 