Abstract: A pneumatically operated swift for holding skeins of yarn to be unwound vertically that includes expandable and contractable skein holding arms carried by a tubular center post, a plunger is disposed within the tubular center post for vertical movement therein, means are carried by the plunger for engaging a pressure ring on the center post, said means being a cross pin disposed through guide slots in the center post so that the pressure ring can move upwards to expand the skein holding arms and air actuated cylinder and piston means for moving said plunger upwardly. The swift further includes a yarn ring having a solid center post removably engaged within the upper end of the tubular center post and which solid center post is elevated vertically by additional plunger means so as to raise the yarn ring as the skein holding arms expand outwardly.