Swifts and Sock Blockers Update

So winter is on its way and knitters are trying to organise their queues and knit up their stashes!

There have been a lot of enquiries and orders regarding swifts and sock blockers lately so I thought I'd do a little update as to what's going on with them in the world of Just One W.I.P.

We've been on the look out for a long time now for the best materials possible to make our sock blockers in and we've finally sourced some that we're super happy with. It's a lovely thin kauri ply with a smooth finish on both sides (no snags with those precious hand knitted socks!) that we have sourced from a local supplier. The great news is that at the moment our prices for the new and improved sock blockers are able to stay much the same. That's $15 each, 2 for $28 or 3 for $40. We also offer children's sock blockers in 2 sizes, children's or babies which are $10 each. The kauri ply is a slightly browner more 'biscuity' coloured wood from our previous pine.

A trial pair of children's sized blockers in the new ply

Blair's swifts are proving so popular that he's making them regularly in the evenings and weekends, currently customers are told there is a 3 week wait when ordering due to the demand. Unfortunately because of the rise in the cost of materials in the last 6 months or so we are having to increase the price of swifts to $60 before postage. We still think that they are absolutely worth that and are really nicely made large swifts that can handle big skeins. The one below was on it's way to New Plymouth this week to make balling yarn easier for it's owner.

Feel free to contact me or leave a comment if you have any questions!

Happy Knitting!

Handmade Wooden Swifts

(Thanks for the photo of the swift in use Belinda/Matisse)

'But what's a swift?' I hear you ask?
Take a gander at this amateur vid we shot HERE

My husband Blair is able to make wooden swifts to make wool hanking and winding easier. I think it came about after he had to sit there for about an hour and a half with his hands out while we balled up 160gms of 2ply (laceweight). Blair is an engineer and has an eye for perfection as well as having been brought up hanging out with his Dad in his man-cave.

Very stable with a well balanced wide base. Made from high quality sturdy and carefully chosen materials. They have easily adjustable pegs so can wind skeins and hanks of various lengths. All the pieces fit together beautifully as well as coming apart easily so it can be stored in a cupboard or under the bed - approx 80 cms in length disassembled (mine lives in bag hanging on a hook in the laundry).

They can be made to order for $60.

Postage is $7.50 to the North Island, $12.50 to the South Island and $18NZD Airmail to Australia (in AUD including postage it works out to around $60 altogether)

Email me,  jstanfield@xtra.co.nz  for more information or to order. I do accept paypal payments as long as you cover the fees.

'And how do I assemble it after I get it?'
Look no further, hopefully your question will be answered HERE (email me if you're still having difficulties)

Thanks Ali for letting us use your picture, it's actually borrowed from her blog, Blair's first customer!