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Using an Umbrella Swift

Try the "ferris wheel" method for smooth reeling with less tension
by Jackie E-S

An umbrella swift is a revolving device that holds a yarn skein under tension while the yarn is being wound off into balls or used directly on your project. Pictures usually depict the swift mounted so that the skein is held horizontally.

umbrella swift

I find better results by mounting the swift so that the skein is held vertically, i.e. the swift revolves like a "ferris wheel". You don't have the possibility of the skein sliding down and off the ribs of the swift (a likelihood for slippery or large heavy skeins), and the yarn tends to reel off more smoothly with less tension (especially good for fine laceweight yarns). In this photo, the skein has been placed on the vertically mounted umbrella swift. Note that the ties for the skein are left on until ready to start reeling off.

vertically mounted umbrella swift

This and other tips on using an umbrella swift is available in a 100kb downloadable pdf document.

Note: This document is set up as a 2-sided leaflet to be printed in landscape format on standard 8.5" by 11" paper and folder. Requires Adobe Reader v7.0 or higher to view and print.

Using an Umbrella Swift pdf document.

Return to Index of Jackie E-S Articles & Tips.

Thank you for interest. I am here to serve you and help keep your knitting a pleasurable experience. If you have questions or need assistance with purchasing or knitting my HeartStrings patterns, let me know. Sincerely, Jackie E-S

Email address: jackie@heartstringsfiberarts.com
Phone: 678-262-6338 or 877-764-2747 (toll-free in US)
Postal address: HeartStrings, Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer, 53 Parlange Drive, Destrehan LA 70047-2133 USA

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Last revised Tuesday, 05-Mar-2013 21:45:09 CST