Swift

I've had my Swift for about 10 years. Hands down it is the best bag and I prefer it to all other knitting bags. In fact, once I bought it, I stopped buying knitting bags altogether. It still looks like new despite being dragged on countless road trips. I have a Maker's bag and prefer the Swift to it for knitting. I like that it stands up on its own. I appreciate that I can put multiple projects in OR a sweater project and the bag doesn't feel over-full or bursting. I can slide in my iPad or Kindle and still have plenty of space.

Just now, after 10 years, I am considering a second Swift; not because my current one is worn out but because I want a second one to hold small projects and my original one for sweaters.

My only wish is for a pouch inside to hold my water bottle. Like in the Maker's bag.

I bought it few years ago, and I still use it! It is the best bag and I can put lots of things in it without hurting my shoulder like other bags! I believe it is 8 to 10 years and still excellent shape.

Full disclosure, I do not knit. I was looking for an upgrade to the shop bag that I had been using as a purse and the Swift was a perfect fit. It is extremely comfortable to carry and doesn't get heavy on the shoulder even holding an absolutely amazing amount of stuff. I'm currently carrying a side effect, small snake charmer, PIKA, size 1 & 2 stuff sacks, 2 small organizer pouches, two eyeglass cases and there is still room to spare. I'm always shocked at how much stuff fits in there. My only quibble (and it is a minor one) is that I don't love the plastic pockets on the sides, which occasionally stick to things. If they were halcyon as well this would be an absolutely perfect bag for me, but I see how the clear pockets would be useful for crafters. I also love the yarn stuff sack, which I don't use in the Swift, but around the house to corral my A6 traveler's notebook, Kindle, pen pouch, and airpods. These don't fit well in the travel stuff sacks with the oval bottom without going up to a really tall size, but are perfect fit in the round bottom yarn sack.

I ordered this bag in June 2018 after the movers inadvertently packed my knitting backpack and three projects I was working on at the time. After three weeks of looking, and out of sheer frustration, I pulled the trigger on my ballistic Aubergine bag. And added a few zippered pouches and a few extra yarn bags.

Holy freakin’ cow!

Not a few days after receiving this bag, I had it up and rolling. Bad enough that I made my husband take me to the yarn store to fill it up!

At the end of that July, my husband and I were flying back to Wisconsin to attend a memorial service for my mother-in-law, who had just recently died. This bag immediately became my carry on bag - and did it carry on! Not only did I have room for three separate projects, but also medication and medical supplies, a light pullover, my 10.1” iPad in its hard case (get the Freudian Slip - it’s the land of pockets!), chargers for everything, and still had room for a 1 liter water bottle. And the poor agents from TSA had to disassemble the bag, twice, all of them remarking on how nicely organized it was, to find an unopened bottle of iced tea that I had entirely forgotten about. And TSA has seen plenty of bag disasters! So I continued on with said bag and a waist pack, and was good to go! Packed back up in a minute and nothing missed.

After I received my bag and noting the interest my husband gave it, I surprised him with his own Maker’s Bag. He just loves it. You folks won us over immediately! Bravo!

The Swift is the perfect knitting bag and although the cost may be a bit off-putting at first, it's really comparable to what you'd pay for high end, handmade knitting bags from several fiber superstars out there today. But technically, the Swift is actually TWO bags, because you get a yarn stuff sack with it. The Swift is a large bucket bag that for me, is ideal for sweaters, shawls and blankets. I appreciate that it closes with a button and strap, rather than a zipper as this eliminates my yarn getting snagged. It's easy to see and access your project and it stands upright on its own. I have both a ballistic Swift and a halcyon Swift. For this bag, I slightly prefer the ballistic version as it seems to stand up just a bit better when I'm knitting from it. I also like the padded handles. While my knitting is not heavy, the handles feel good and they're substantial. The yarn stuff sack is the perfect size to hold a smaller project like a pair of socks, a hat or a cowl. It's very squishy and can literally be stuffed into small spaces like your purse.

While the Swift is a great knitting bag, I think it's also a really great everyday bag. When I first got it, I felt like it was too pretty to just use at home for my knitting. I used it as my "work" tote until I got a new laptop that was too big for the Swift. It's really sleek and professional looking, in my opinion. So, if you're not a fiber artist, don't automatically assume the Swift couldn't be a great bag for you.