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Swifts are most often used to hold a skein of yarn while the yarn is wound into a ball, either by hand or using a ball-winder, or while the yarn is wound onto a bobbin or shuttle. In other words, they are used to unwind skeins of yarn. To wind yarn into a skein from a ball or bobbin, typically a niddy-noddy or other type of skein winder is used.
Our yarn swifts are modern adaptations of traditional, time-tested designs, incorporating new components that improve function and durability.
Five different styles of umbrella swifts
are available to handle almost any size skein imaginable!
Bluster Bay umbrella swifts are hand-made and each is one-of-a-kind. They are only available directly from Bluster Bay Woodworks. Please see our ordering information.
All Bluster Bay swifts feature:
- The finest quality domestic or imported hardwood, selected for durability and lasting beauty
- Clamp bases with non-marring swivel pads to provide secure clamping while protecting your furniture,
- Threaded shafts mated with threaded metal inserts to eliminate wear commonly associated with wood-against-wood or metal-against-wood threading
- Strong and rust-free bronze, brass, and stainless steel metal components
- Wood components that are carefully fitted and sanded to satin smoothness
- A hand-rubbed oil and wax finish that is simple to maintain and grows more beautiful over time
Currently we are offering swifts made from your choice of black cherry, black walnut, white ash, or rock maple. (See photographs of these woods) We also have small quantities of other, more unusual woods that can be incorporated into small parts such as handles and finials. And, our wood offerings constantly change as we find suitable pieces with lovely figure.
You may choose a single wood used throughout, or may incorporate two or more woods. For example, a maple umbrella swift may be fitted with black walnut slats. Many of our spool swifts are made with one wood for the rotating spools, and another wood used for everything else. Sometimes just the small clamp handles and the finial are a contrasting wood.
An elegant Bluster Bay swift is a graceful addition to any home or studio, and will likely become a cherished family heirloom.
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Both our Petite and Standard Umbrella Swifts are available in either 6-arm or 12-arm versions. Although a six-arm swift functions almost identically to a 12-arm swift of the same size, a 12-arm version is much more dramatic in appearance, having twice as many collapsing slats as the six-arm style. A 12-arm swift will carry heavier skeins with more ease than a six-arm swift of the same size.
Our Great Umbrella Swift is available only with 12 arms. Its double-articulated arms not only create a very dramatic-looking umbrella swift, but allow it to handle bulky or large diameter skeins without being too heavy or large.
Bluster Bay Woodworks offers the only modern 12-arm swifts. |
 Top finial of standard 12-arm umbrella swift
made of black walnut |
