November 11, 2025
Description
This yarn swift in its current iteration can accommodate 24" hanks, we're working on adapters for larger sizes.
The entire project can be printed with a single 1kg roll of filament, and requires the following materials:
You'll need to print out the following pieces:
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Layer Height | 0.1mm |
| Perimeter | 3 |
| Infill | 15% |
| Supports | See below |
Spokes & Joined Spokes: I recommend printing the plain Spokes flat on the build plate with a brim. After printing it’s easiest to remove the brim with a deburring tool. With the Joined Spokes, you’ll also want to add a brim, and enable Supports Everywhere. To get a cleaner edge on the hinge pin, you can play with the ‘Top contact Z distance’ and the ‘overhang threshold’.
Clamp: To ensure the clamp’s internal threads are as good as possible, print them in plane with the clamp screw. To make supports easier to remove, enable custom supports and block the internal threads. This will allow you to pull the supports out in one go, and still support the top of the clamp.
Collet: For the collet, we will be breaking the rules regarding thread orientation & slicing. Orient the Collet flat on the print bed and enable ‘Supports Everywhere’. You will need to be careful when removing the supports, its easy to damage the threads
Clamp Screw & Collet Screw: Due to the thread pitch on the screws, supports have to be ‘Build Plate Only’ on the parts.
All other parts: The remaining components can be printed with ‘Supports Everywhere’ and have no special instructions regarding supports. These components are: male rod, female rod, finned collet - top, finned collet - bottom, and clamp screw head.
The full assembly can be seen in the YouTube video below:
If you would like a printer friendly version of the assembly instructions, you can find them in the downloads.
The timestamp for this subassembly in the YouTube video is 0:43. The supplies, tools, & parts you’ll need for this portion are the following:
Step 1. Locate the Male Rod, it has the smaller diameter on one end and the hex nut cut-out on the other end.
Step 2. Press an M5 nut into the hex nut cut-out on the Male Rod. If you cannot press it in with your finger, press the nut against the table.
Step 3. Open up the superglue and prepare the applicator.
Step 4. Locate the Female Rod, using the applicator spread a thick layer of super glue on the inside of the Female Rod.
Step 5. Twist the Male & Female Rods to distribute the adhesive evenly.
Step 6. Set aside the two parts and allow them to dry for the recommended cure time.
The timestamp for this subassembly in the YouTube video is 1:35. The supplies, tools, & parts you’ll need for this portion are the following:
Step 1. Locate the Clamp & Clamp Screw, screw into the clamp base. Keep threading the screw until it’s about midway.
Step 2. Locate the Clamp Screw Head, press the head onto the ball of the Clamp Screw.
Step 3. On the Clamp, locate the hex nut cut-out and press the M5 nut into the cut-out.
The timestamp for this subassembly in the YouTube video is 2:19. The supplies, tools, & parts you’ll need for this portion are the following:
Step 1. Locate the Top Finned Collet, this part has the smaller opening than the Bottom Finned Collet.
Step 2. Cut a ~10” length of waxed thread with your scissors.
Step 3. Locate one of the Joined Spokes, open the spokes and thread the waxed thread into the hole.
Step 4. Align the Joined Spokes & waxed thread into the thread channel on the Top Finned Collet.
Step 5. Repeat Steps 3 & 4 until all the Joined Spokes are around Top Finned Collet.
Step 6. Tie the waxed thread three times as tight as you can. Sliding the thread into one of the fins can aid in gaining tension.
Step 7. Cut the waxed thread leaving ½” tails.
The timestamp for this subassembly in the YouTube video is 3:51. The supplies, tools, & subassemblies you’ll need for this portion are the following:
Step 1. Locate the Rod & Clamp Subassemblies. Tighten the Clamp down to your work surface. Align the Rod’s slot cut-out with the Clamp’s hole cut-out
Step 2. Locate your M5x40 Screw and fasten it through the cut-outs. Use the M5 Hex Key to tighten the Screw.
Step 3. Locate the Collet and Collet Screw. Slide the Collet onto the Rod Subassembly, use the screw to hold the Collet into your desired height.
Step 4. Locate the Bottom Finned Collet, slide it onto the Rod Subassembly. Make sure you orient the fins facing up.
Step 5. Locate the M5x20 Screw, both M5 Washers, and the Spokes & Collets Subassembly.
Step 6. Place one Washer on the top of the Rod Subassembly’s M5 Nut. Place the Top Collet on top.
Step 7. Place an M5 Washer in the top cut-out of the Finned Collet. Then, insert the M5x20 Screw and use the Hex Key to fasten it. Tighten until you begin to feel friction, and back-off by a ¼ turn.
Step 8. Cut a 10” piece of waxed thread.
Step 9. Align the top spokes with their appropriate channels on the bottom spokes. Begin threading the waxed thread through one of the Joined Spokes hole, push the spoke into the opening, and feed the thread inside the collet’s thread channel.
Step 10. Tie the waxed thread three times as tight as you can. Sliding the thread into one of the fins can aid in gaining tension.
Step 11. Cut the waxed thread leaving ½” tails.
Step 12. Expand the Joined Spokes using the Collet, this will make the next steps easier.
Step 13. Cut 24, 4”pieces of waxed thread for the next steps.
Step 14. Take one Spoke, 2 pieces of waxed thread, begin tying the Spoke onto the top Joined Spoke hole. Triple knot the thread to ensure it doesn’t come undone. Tie the other side of the Spoke diagonally onto the adjacent Joined Spoke.
Step 15. Repeat Step 14 with your next Spoke to achieve an X between the two Joined Spokes
Step 16. Repeat Steps 14 & 15 until there you’ve used all the remaining Spokes.
Step 17. Cut the waxed thread leaving at least ½” tails, if you cut these too short they will come undone.
The yarn swift in its original design has a smaller circumference than most DK and worsted yarn hanks, this is due to plate size of the 3D printer. In my case, I was designing around the MK4's print area. Therefore, I have added on these adapters to increase the circumference of your swift. I recommend printing 3 adapters for your swift to begin!
Plate your adapters with supports everywhere and with a brim. You can easily fit three on one MK4 plate.
Remove your supports, expand your swift, and slide the adapter w/ the extruded knob closer to the table onto the joined spokes! Continue until your hank is fully expanded and wind away.
Any issues you encounter when printing should be met with basic Troubleshooting using the Prusa Website. Any problems encountered with assembly should be left in the Makes & Comments section.
License:
Creative Commons — Attribution — Noncommercial
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Emily Oman
