These are the two most popular and widely available styles of fast thread, but which is best? Like many things, it all comes down to personal preference, how much space you have, and what you're willing to spend.

In the simplest sense, the Amish style is tabletop, and the umbrella is fastened quickly to a surface.

In this post, I give a complete rundown of both styles, and the best models available for each style.

Table of Contents.
What is a Swift for yarn?
Wood Vs Metal Umbrella Swift
Amish Swift Vs Umbrella Swift - The Differences and Similarities
The best Amish Swift
Stanwood Needlecraft Amish Swift Style Table Tops
CHIAOGOO Amish Wooden Swift Yarn Design
The Best Swift Umbrella
Stanwood Wooden Umbrella Spinning Swift
Schacht Swift
What is a Yarn Swift?
A yarn swift is a useful tool, most commonly used in conjunction with a yarn winder to help wind yarn from a skein or skein into a neat yarn cake.

Yarn cakes are easier to knit and are much less likely to become a tangled mess of a yarn monster when you try to knit it.

Wood Vs Metal Umbrella Swift
Difference

The obvious one has to be the material, metal ones are generally made of aluminum and wood ones made of hardwoods like birch or maple.
Metal ones are generally cheaper
Although wooden ones tend to last longer and are more resistant.
They are also a bit more expensive to maintain, but they look lovely.
Metallics usually combine metal and plastic
Similarity

Can be any style of fast thread
All are available in different price ranges and sizes
Amish Swift Vs Umbrella Swift - The Differences and Similarities
Here is a quick summary of the similar and different qualities of these two styles.

difference
The Amish sits flat on a table, while the other is attached to a surface.
In general, a quick umbrella is more comfortable to set up and less bulky
It is also usually easier to store
The umbrella expands to fit any size yarn, while the Amish has adjustable pegs to fit different sizes
Amish do not require a clamp, less likely to damage a surface
Some find an umbrella one more comfortable to use
Amishes can generally hold larger skeins than the other option
similarity
Both are designed to hold the skein or hank while you wind it up
Both rotate on a flat shaft
Are available in a wide variety of materials, from plastic and metal to hard wood
All price ranges to suit all budgets
Kristine Kelly of Ewe University gives an in-depth summary of the two styles plus the fast vertical yarn, which can be viewed by clicking here.

The Best Amish Swift
Stanwood Needlecraft Amish Swift Style Amish Table
Stanwood Needlecraft Amish Swift Style Amish Table
Thought Stanwood is predominantly known for their umbrella style swifts, this model is made with the same quality, attention to detail, and made from the same hardwood. An excellent swift table yarn.

Function

Made of solid wood
Smooth, sanded and polished surface
Holds skeins between 2 1/2 - 6 feet in circumference
Pro

Non-skid pads to prevent accidental movement
Easy assembly and disassembly
Convenient storage
Spins very smoothly
Disadvantage

Has a little friction when turning
Squeaks from time to time, but not enough to be annoying
Click for more information / Buy on Amazon
CHIAOGOO Amish Design Wooden Yarn Swift Design
CHIAOGOO Amish Wooden Yarn Design Swift
Made by Chiaogoo, the company known for their excellent range of needles, they also make this excellent quality swift made from solid wood. One of the many excellent choices available on the market for wood spinning swifts.

Function

Made entirely of wood
Designed to last for years
Suitable for a permanent or temporary home setting
Pro

Four adjustable pegs to hold a wide variety of skein sizes
Has non-skid pads to prevent accidental slippage
Quick and easy assembly
Spins smoothly and quietly
On the cheaper end
Lightweight
Disadvantage

Not sturdy
Makes an occasional squeaking noise
Can be a little scratchy when it arrives
Click for more information / Buy from Amazon
The best Swift umbrella
Stanwood Wooden Umbrella Swift Spun Umbrella
Stanwood Wooden Umbrella Swift Yarn Umbrella
This Stanwood umbrella is one of the most popular models of swift yarn and considered by many to be one of the best yarn swifts. Entirely made of solid birch, this is a smooth and quiet workhorse.

Function

Made of finely sanded and polished birch.
Holds a skein up to 6 feet in circumference
Medium size
Clamp fits surfaces up to 1 3/4 inches thick
Pro

Excellent quality materials and craftsmanship
Requires almost no assembly
Efficient and time saving
Lasts a long time
Disadvantage

Slightly expensive
Limited thickness capacity that you can clamp to
Sometimes the screw is defective, but Stanwood will replace it quickly
Sometimes the umbrella can slip if you don't secure it properly
Click for more info / Buy on Amazon
Schacht Swift
Schacht Swift
Made with heavy-duty materials and attention to detail, this is a workhorse that is smooth and quiet. Designed to last for years, this is very well worth the investment.

Function

Made with wood and metal
Features a ball bearing for super-smooth spinning
Holds a skein of yarn up to 93" in circumference
Pro

Adjustable clamp should fit most surfaces
Stable and super sturdy
Super smooth when winding the yarn
Quiet
Disadvantage

A bit heavy and bulky
Requires quite a bit of assembly
Takes up a bit of space, so would be difficult to store
A bit expensive
Click to learn more / Buy on Amazon
Hopefully, this comparison of these two styles of yarn swifts helped you decide which one is best for you.

Yarn Swifts are wonderful inventions for keeping those pesky skeins of yarn from tangling.

Relax and wind your yarn into usable cakes or balls while your swift keeps the unwound yarn under control.What is a Swift Yarn?

A swift thread is a neat tool to hold your thread and keep it from tangling while you wind it onto a clean, usable ball or cake with a ball winder. Think of it as a chair back, but much, much better!

An effective tool used in combination with a yarn ball winder, which makes clean yarn cakes, both machines complement each other and make it so much easier. Read my review of The Best Yarn Winders.

Of course, getting that wound at the yarn store is big, and while doing it for yourself, many people don't realize that they make a common mistake. If you're going to use the yarn immediately for a project, excellent choice.

But if you have it wound and in your craft room closet for a rainy day, watch out! If you leave them for too long, the yarn fibers will stretch and lose elasticity. It won't look very good when you've crocheted either.

With a fast yarn, you have control of when you prepare your yarn fibers for crocheting. An excellent advantage is that you can wind balls by hand or with a yarn winder whenever you want, and it's ready to wind when you need it.

You can also take a break, and nothing will have changed when you resume.

How to set up a Swift thread

Make sure you have assembled it according to the instructions before setting it up for use.

If you have a Swift Yarn with a stand, it's very flexible as to where you place it - you might even decide to set it up in your backyard if you want!

If you have one that sits flat, there's not as much freedom. You need to find a surface with a large enough empty area to fit it.

Once you have found your ideal area, clamp it down and tighten the screw securely. If you are concerned about a fastener that feels flat damaging the area, place a cloth underneath.

Now you are ready to start winding the thread.Things to consider when choosing which one to buy.

It doesn't matter if you are just looking for a simple, inexpensive machine that will do the job right or a wonderful quality speed that will last for years. This tool is so much fun!

Here are details to consider as you make the buying decision of which swift thread is right for you.

How does a Swift thread work? - How to use a Swift yarn for winding yarn

Prepare the skein for winding. Blanket it until it is a ring, remove the tag, and any bits of yarn binding and keep it from tangling. Do not untie the skein, though! Wait until the skein form is placed on the speedy.

If you are using a fast umbrella, place the yarn circle around the fast yarn and open it out of the stretch sections. Push the center up until it fits snugly around the thread.

Make sure it is not loose; otherwise the thread may fall out! Secure the thread quick with the screw, so that it stays in place.

If you are using a quick that sits flat, place the circumference of the thread around the pins and adjust the width as needed. Secure them, and you're ready to go.

Remove the loops of thread from the yarn.

If you are using a yarn ball winder, hold the end of the yarn in your hand from the outside, not the inside. This ensures that you do not interrupt the flow of the speedo.

Connect it to the ball winder and place it on the bobbin. Make sure everything is secure, the thread in place under tension and start putting the handle on the bobbin winder.

If you are using your fingers to wind a ball, start winding, but turn slowly, so it doesn't tangle.

Keep going until you've created your breathless yarn!

Choosing a Swift Yarn

There are several different types of Yarn Swifts. Here's a list of the comparisons, similarities and differences between these main types.

Umbrella Swift

Umbrella swifts spin horizontally, have clamps, and are suitable for up to large skeins. It stores easily, because it collapses and folds.

Amish or horizontal board

This type of fast yarn sits flat on a table and spins horizontally. An Amish-style rapid can spin most medium to medium-sized skeins. To store it, you'll need to disassemble it if you want it to take up less space.

It is easy to use.

Swift / Table Combination Umbrella

This yarn winds quickly horizontally and sits flat on a table. Swift has medium sized skeins of yarn. Pack it into shape, or take it apart.

Metal Wheel and Wood Combination

Spins vertically, but sits flat on a table. Only good for smaller skeins and skeins. You have to disassemble it if you want to keep it in a tighter space.How much room do you have?

Swifts can be quite cumbersome, and take up a lot of space: umbrella yarn swifts, especially when fully expanded.

Horizontal swifts move in a circle.Check that there is enough area around them, so they don't hit obstacles while in motion.Check that walls or furniture don't get in the way!

Larger umbrella swifts expand up to 8.5 feet wide. To avoid hitting objects or getting stuck while spinning, aim for about 1.5 feet of space around you to move freely.

If you have limited space, don't stress. There are other options, not just a huge swift umbrella!

If you have one of these, you can lay it on its side to create vertical speed. The top of a chair could work perfectly for this!

On nice days, take your swift string and place it outside. Surely there is a place in your yard/backyard/front yard you can easily put it!

Important! Remember these additional tips when choosing your Swift Twine

If you want a product that will stick, check the depth of the clamp and have a surface that will fit the clamp. No one wants to receive their new machine only to have it not fit on their tables!

Consider storage. Umbrella swifts are the easiest to store, other models, not so much.

How big are the skeins of yarn you need to wind?

The size of the swift you need depends on the size of the skein you need to wind. Skeins of yarn come in different sizes, as almost all manufacturers, dyers and suppliers choose their own.

How are you supposed to know which one to choose? Take a look at your yarn stash and compare the size, do a count to make it easier.

You should be able to see what kind of skeins or skeins you buy and use. This will help you decide on the best fast yarn for you.

If you use different sizes and weights of yarn, some large and some small, get a larger model.

If you only use smaller weights or sizes, a cheaper model with smaller gauge options should do!

Even with all this in mind, choose the fast thread that will give you the best value for your hard-earned money.

IMPORTANT! - If you also use wool winders (yarn ball winders), keep in mind how much the wool winder will hold.

It can hold anywhere from 4 oz to 16 oz, (a full pound.) If your skein of yarn is large and you have a small yarn winder, you will need to cut the skein in half and wind it onto another cake.

Additional things to remember

Make sure it is easy to set up, read customer reviews to get an idea of their experience and how well the fast works. Learn from others' mistakes or experiences as well as your own!

You don't want to spend hours trying to set it up when there is yarn to wind and crochet to do.

Another thing is that it's best if the quick is smooth and sanded, so it doesn't catch or snag the yarn.

I hope you find this resource useful! Yarn swifts are wonderful inventions, perfect for doing a laborious task and make it so much easier. Leaving much more time for the good stuff, crochet! Which style is right for you?

There are two styles, which are the most popular and common. These yarn swifts are the quick umbrella and Amish, (also known as table because it sits flat on a table.).

Perfect for home use, and are a functional piece of craft room furniture. The other styles combine the two, and a combination version with a metal wheel and wood base.

Here the basic differences, advantages and disadvantages for each.

The name is pretty self-explanatory. When it collapses, it is small, push up, so it expands outward and pull downward to close. These swifts have clamps, with screws to grip a surface.

Sometimes, they have the option to add on legs so you can place them on the ground. They collapse easily and are very easy to pack.

Word Search

It's called a table top speedo because that's exactly what it is, a speedo that sits on top of a surface. A range of sizes to fit any situation or crocheter.

Instead of expandable arms, it has adjustable pegs inserted into the different peg holes in the arms to fit the yarn. It can be packed in its configuration form or can be disassembled.

This type of fast yarn is made of wood and consists of two long, thin pieces of wood that crisscross in the middle, creating four arms.

A skein winder and its ability to adjust to accommodate different yarns, yarn types and string types is very useful.

In each of these arms is a series of holes into which pegs are inserted. The pegs can be moved to accommodate different skein sizes.

And then it all spins around, allowing you to create balls of yarn if you are hand winding or yarn muffins or yarn cakes, with the help of a yarn ball winder.

Crochet hooks that are useful with woodworking could make a quick Amish themselves.