So what's a swift, Harper?

[kniteracy]

Lots of people have asked this question after reading about my Saturday.

I admit, the sheep tape measure distracted me for a minute; it was on the web page where sdorn went to make sure he knew what a swift was after reading that entry. I had actually gone to that page to see if I could get a good picture of a swift to show you when the sheep used their mind control on me and made me post their picture in this journal.

So, just for informational purposes, here is the URL where you can find a picture of what appears to be exactly the swift I found on Saturday. It's at yarnforward.com, which seems to have an impressive selection of fun stuff. Scroll down from the sheepies to see a photograph of the swift.

Comments

[jhayman.livejournal.com]

Heck, when I had that question I just did a web search... and found the identical item. You still may need to explain what it's used for. I have (un)fond memories of winding balls of yarn.

[telynor.livejournal.com]

Yarn that comes in hanks (long twisty hanging type bundles) rather than skeins (wound-up bundles) can be fitted around the swift, which expands or contracts depending on the size of the hank, the way your mom or grandmother used to have you hold it in your hands. The expandable part of the swift turns easily, so once you find the yarn-end, winding yarn into balls or skeins either by hand or with the help of a ball winder is a breeze.

I will mention that when Joe heard I'd gotten the swift, his response was actually disappointment, because he likes helping me wind yarn. I promised him we could still wind it together sometimes.

swift & ballwinder

[msminlr.livejournal.com]

yup; my mom had one each of those too. She did afghans; some knitted / some crocheted. She would ALSO have had one of the sheep tape measures if they'd come out in the catalog while she was alive. She had that kind of sense of humor. (So now you know where _I_ come by it!)

[hobbitblue.livejournal.com]

Ah, one of *those*. Right, thanks, got my mental image now. Though I'm now going to be troubled for a couple of hours while the brain tries to remembe the other word it would supply for that, for I have seen them before and not called swift. Useful thingy, either way :)

[kyttn.livejournal.com]

First, your yarnforward.com link is linking back to your sheep entry rather than to the their website.

Also, I found information about instructions for making your own wooden swift - apparently if you want plans for an actual wooden swift, Schoolhouse Press sells them for $3.50--1-800-YOU-KNIT. I also found an interesting site for making your own yarn-winder out of an electric mixer (http://knitting.about.com/library/weekly/aa010603.htm). I may end up try that myself for the fun of it!

[telynor.livejournal.com]

Thanks for pointing out the link problem-- I've fixed it. :)

I'm just not handy enough to make my own swift, but the mixer idea sounds fun. Although the other thing that duality and I found once that had been made from a Kitchenaid mixer was skeeeeeeeery.

Hugs,
G

[shivakat.livejournal.com]

I went to a craft fair/garden show last Friday and thought of you. They had Alpacas there. And Alpaca wool. And people carding Alpaca wool, and then spinning said wool into yard (with real spinning wheels), then using the yarn to make sweaters. ^^

I thought, 'Man, Harper would love this.' ^^

[telynor.livejournal.com]

Ooh, alpacas. Soft, cuddly yummy alpaca wool. It's like a blanket, the best blanket ever, comforting and warm. Mm. Alpacas.

Thanks for thinking of me. :-)