Swift like the Wind(ing) Yarn

Okay, can somebody explain to me the difference between a skein-winder and a swift? Because they look remarkably similar and have remarkably similar purposes--to hold a skein of yarn, either as winding it into or out of a skein. So far as I can tell, the only "real" difference is that skein-winders are often vertical, like a ferris wheel, while swifts are horizontal, like a carousel. Is there a reason for that? Does anybody know?

I can see that an umbrella swift would be difficult to use as a skein winder, that the yarn would be too apt to tangle on the corners as it would off the bobbin. But otherwise? Because, see, Liz has a skein-winder on her wheel which made making a skein so much easier than using a niddy-noddy. So I've been looking at them. I found some very interesting tips here at Knitter's Review. But when I started looking, I got confused

First, there's the Fricke clamp-variety. Which is more or less what Liz was using and looks admirable for it's functionality and versatility.

But it also looks awfully like this horizontal swift. More or less the exact same thing, so far as I can tell, except for being horizontal. Not to mention about half the price.

And then there's the Goko swift, which everyone seems to be raving about, which can apparently be used as both. It really does look like a ferris wheel, doesn't it? All it needs is a few cars filled with happy people . . .

Anyway, I suppose my question is--I'd like to get one of these things, and have been thinking about changing my umbrella swift anyway. I'd rather not spend $120 if I can get basically the same functionality for $60 . . . opinions?

Otherwise, not much going on.

Between the weather (alternating between really hot or really wet for most of the month of July) and his sore back (when he needed to take it easy, but which pretty much overlapped with the decent days in July), poor Chappy has not been getting anything like his usual exercise lately. I think that, plus the lack of sleep, was the main reason he didn't play more with his new friends last weekend. I tried playing with him yesterday, but he got bored in just a few minutes. And really, it was far too hot to even consider a walk this afternoon. So what did I do? I took him for laps around the house. As in, inside the house. After I finished eating my lunch, I started walking the circle from room to room. Kitchen to family room to living room to dining room to kitchen to family room... Chappy pretty much always wants to be where I am, so he started following me--thinking, at first, that I was going to stop at any of the usual places--the sliders out to the deck, our favorite chair, by the leash--but I didn't. And so he kept trotting along behind me. I should have counted "laps" but we must have done the circle at least 20 times, and at a fairly good clip, too. Fast enough to stretch the legs, but not so fast as to risk sliding into doorways or anything breakable. The best part, though, was the slightly confused, but "Okay, this is new!" eager look on his face.

Hey, at least it got him off the couch. Stop laughing.

I also get Good Daughter points tonight. Not only did I make supper tonight (pasta with fresh zucchini, squash, onions, red cabbage, and broccoli), but . . .well, when I bought my new laptop last Winter, I had always planned on giving my old one to Mom, as an upgrade to the one she was using. But there were problems with my new one (several new ones) and I hadn't been ready to give up the old one yet, not altogether, even though it just sat here in my bedroom. It basically hasn't been used since May, when I brought it on vacation (since it's about a pound lighter). But her computer has been acting weird lately--the fan's going all the time, and it's gotten really slow, don't know why . . . so, finally, I decided it was Time. So tonight, while she was cleaning up from supper (which I cooked), I moved her old one and set up the newer one in its place, and then crept away, leaving it to surprise her. And it did! (grin). I mean, sure, I could have given it to her months ago, but that's not really the point, is it? I gave it to her when she needed it. Right? It just means she'll appreciate it more....

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Booking Through Thursday

Do your reading habits change for the summer months? If so, how??

Not really. Even when I was still in school, and Summer Vacation would stretch out with all those lazy days, the only real difference in my reading was in quantity. I don't hang out on beaches, so that's not really an issue, and a good book is a good book--I've taken history on vacation just as readily as light fiction.

I wonder if this changes if you have kids, so that there's a clear delineation between "summer" and "not summer" in your life, rather than just wearing cool clothes rather than warm ones?

Comments

[Madame Purl]

Guess who? I would be most interested in trying the Goko swift. I have the top one - in plastic from the maker of the Babe Wheel - it's good but can't replace my swift for winding off the yarn. It's too slow and has lag so it stretches the yarn out. The wood one may be better. I've seen the middle one and unless they got better - for me the clumsy - it wasn't sturdy at all and flopped over - of course that could've been me. Really I've yet to find a fantastic swift. I'm most interested in what you decide.

[Beth]

Not a clue about the skein-winder vs. swift issue. I've got one of the metal and plastic swifts - it has a little knob on top that a friend's wooden one doesn't have - so I use that as a skein winder.

Good for you on the indoor laps - my dogs could sure use some!

[Carole]

I don't have advice on the swift/skein winder business but I'll be interested to see how it works out for you. I can just picture you and Chappy doing those laps around the house!

[Kate]

That's funny... with our dining table, I can't attach my swift, so I put it "ferris wheel" style off a dining chair and away I go! It actually gets snagged a lot less this way! :)

Pobre Chapster... well, at least you got him off the couch!

:)Kate

PS_ I think it was you, so thanks for the directions to Eunny's site!

[Mom]

I definitely do appreciate my new computer.... the supper you made... and as for good daughter points you're off the chart :)

[Lizzy B]

Well, I have the skein winder because it came with the Louet S75 Anniversary edition, and I also have a horizontal wodden swift. I use them for different things. I only use the skein winder to get stuff off of a plied bobbin, and only when there is a lot of yarn to wind off. I use the swift for already existing hanks of yarn that need to be made into balls. My horizontal wood swift is adjustable and I like it a lot. I don't get any snagging from it which is nice. The biggest thing for me anyway about the skein winder is the fact that it has that extra peg to use as the handle to turn the skein winder. It makes it easier than it would be using a horizontal swift for the same purpose.

[CindyCindy]

OK. I haven't commented lately, although I have been reading. Too busy at work. I have the Mama Bear swift that you showed. I absolutely love it. It has removable pegs that can be moved in several spots to accomodate the yarn. I have measured my yarn from it and wound from it and love it. I don't need to clamp it. It sits on a little rubber pad on a table (I have curious cats). I have also often wondered about the skeinwinder/swift difference. I actually ordered mine from Peter at Oregon Woodworks. He's the one that makes them. The first one I got was broken. He upgraded me and sent another right out. I had to send the other back, but the service and professionalism were terrific. I'm so glad Chappy's a happy pup. Heat is so hard on the pups. And, you apparently made your Mom's day. What a good daughter. What a kind gesture.