Privacy Policy

At Loops & Threads, we value your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and safeguard your data when you visit our website or interact with our yarn and craft supply business. We comply with all applicable privacy laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA), Colorado Privacy Act (CPA), Connecticut Data Privacy Act (CTDPA), and Utah Consumer Privacy Act (UCPA).

1. Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

When you interact with Loops & Threads, we may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address when you fill out contact forms, subscribe to our newsletter, or communicate with us
• Account Information: Username, password, and preferences if you create an account on our website
• Communication Data: Any information you provide when you contact our customer support team or participate in surveys
• Newsletter Subscriptions: Email address and yarn craft preferences for our Loops & Threads community updates

Information We Collect Automatically

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain technical information about your device and browsing activity:

• Device Information: Device type, operating system, browser type and version, screen resolution
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, yarn products viewed, links clicked, navigation paths
• Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address (city, state, country)
• IP Address: Internet protocol address used to identify your device
• Cookies and Tracking: Data collected through cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies (see Cookies section below)

Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third-party services and partners:

• Amazon Associates: When you click on product links or make purchases through Amazon, we may receive aggregate data about shopping behavior and conversion rates
• Analytics Providers: Google Analytics and similar services provide us with website traffic data and user behavior insights
• Social Media Platforms: If you interact with our social media accounts, we may receive publicly available profile information

2. How We Use Your Information

Loops & Threads uses your personal information for the following purposes:

Website Operation and Improvement

• Operate, maintain, and improve our website functionality
• Provide you with information about our yarn products and craft supplies
• Personalize your experience and show you relevant Loops & Threads products
• Analyze website traffic and user behavior to enhance our content
• Troubleshoot technical issues and optimize website performance

Communication and Marketing

• Send you newsletters about new Loops & Threads yarn collections and crafting tips
• Respond to your inquiries, questions, and customer support requests
• Send you important updates about our website, policies, or services
• Provide you with promotional offers and special announcements (with your consent)
• Communicate about yarn patterns, crafting techniques, and product launches

Analytics and Business Operations

• Understand which Loops & Threads products interest our community most
• Measure the effectiveness of our content and marketing campaigns
• Track affiliate link performance and product referrals
• Conduct market research to better serve knitters, crocheters, and fiber artists
• Improve our product selection and content strategy

Legal Compliance and Security

• Comply with legal obligations and regulatory requirements
• Protect against fraud, abuse, and security threats
• Enforce our terms and conditions
• Respond to legal requests and prevent illegal activity
• Protect the rights and safety of Loops & Threads and our users

3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our website. Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.

Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You cannot opt out of these cookies.

Analytics Cookies

We use Google Analytics and similar services to understand how visitors interact with our website. These cookies help us identify popular yarn products, track navigation patterns, and improve our content. This data is collected in aggregate and does not personally identify you.

Advertising and Affiliate Cookies

As participants in the Amazon Associates Program, we use cookies to track when you click on product links and make purchases. These cookies help us earn commissions on qualifying purchases and understand which Loops & Threads products are most popular with our community.

Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:

• View and delete cookies stored on your device
• Block third-party cookies
• Block cookies from specific websites
• Block all cookies (note: this may limit website functionality)
• Delete all cookies when you close your browser

Please note that disabling cookies may affect your ability to use certain features of our website and may impact your browsing experience.

4. How We Share Your Information

Loops & Threads does not sell your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:

Service Providers

We work with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate our website and business. These providers have access to your information only to perform specific tasks on our behalf and are obligated to protect your data:

• Website Hosting: Companies that host and maintain our website infrastructure
• Email Services: Providers that help us send newsletters and communications
• Analytics Services: Google Analytics and similar platforms that help us understand website traffic
• Security Services: Providers that help protect our website from threats and ensure data security

Affiliate Partners

When you click on product links and make purchases through Amazon, certain information may be shared with Amazon as part of the Amazon Associates Program. This helps us earn commissions on qualifying purchases and allows Amazon to track conversions. We do not control Amazon’s use of your information once you leave our website.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or in good faith belief that such action is necessary to:

• Comply with legal obligations, court orders, or government requests
• Enforce our Terms and Conditions or other agreements
• Protect and defend the rights or property of Loops & Threads
• Prevent fraud or investigate potential violations
• Protect the personal safety of users or the public

Business Transfers

If Loops & Threads is involved in a merger, acquisition, asset sale, or bankruptcy proceeding, your personal information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email or prominent notice on our website of any change in ownership or use of your personal information.

5. Data Security

We take the security of your personal information seriously and implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect it from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

Security Measures We Implement

• SSL/TLS Encryption: Our website uses Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology to encrypt data transmitted between your browser and our servers
• Access Controls: We restrict access to personal information to authorized personnel who need it to perform their job functions
• Regular Security Audits: We conduct periodic security assessments to identify and address potential vulnerabilities
• Secure Data Storage: Personal information is stored on secure servers with appropriate safeguards
• Employee Training: Our team members receive training on data privacy and security best practices

Limitations of Security

While we strive to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your data. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any account credentials and should notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorized access to your account.

6. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information. Loops & Threads respects these rights and provides mechanisms for you to exercise them.

Rights for All Users

Regardless of your location, you have the right to:

• Access: Request information about the personal data we hold about you
• Correction: Request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request that we delete your personal information (subject to certain legal exceptions)
• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails and newsletters at any time
• Restrict Processing: Request that we limit how we use your information

GDPR Rights (European Union Residents)

If you are located in the European Union, you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Right to Access: Obtain confirmation of whether we process your personal data and receive a copy of your data
• Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate personal data and complete incomplete data
• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data under certain circumstances
• Right to Restrict Processing: Limit how we process your personal data in specific situations
• Right to Data Portability: Receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used format and transmit it to another controller
• Right to Object: Object to processing of your personal data for direct marketing or other purposes
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent
• Right to Lodge a Complaint: File a complaint with your local data protection authority if you believe we have violated your privacy rights

CCPA/CPRA Rights (California Residents)

If you are a California resident, you have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA):

• Right to Know: Request information about the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you in the past 12 months
• Right to Know About Sales/Sharing: Request information about whether we have sold or shared your personal information and to whom
• Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal information (Note: Loops & Threads does not sell personal information)
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions
• Right to Correct: Request correction of inaccurate personal information
• Right to Limit Use of Sensitive Information: Limit our use and disclosure of sensitive personal information
• Right to Non-Discrimination: Exercise your privacy rights without receiving discriminatory treatment

Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah Residents

If you reside in Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, or Utah, you have similar rights under your state’s consumer privacy laws:

• Access: Confirm whether we process your personal data and access that data
• Correction: Correct inaccuracies in your personal data
• Deletion: Delete personal data you provided to us
• Data Portability: Obtain a copy of your personal data in a portable format
• Opt-Out: Opt out of targeted advertising, sale of personal data, and certain profiling activities

How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, you may:

• Email us at privacy@theloops-threads.com
• Submit a request through our contact form
• Send written correspondence to our mailing address (listed below)

We will respond to your request within the timeframe required by applicable law (typically 30-45 days). We may need to verify your identity before processing your request to protect your privacy and security.

7. Children’s Privacy

Loops & Threads’ website is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. Our yarn and craft supplies are intended for adult crafters, though we recognize that our products may be used to create items for children.

If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information as soon as possible. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at privacy@theloops-threads.com.

8. Third-Party Links and Services

Our website contains links to third-party websites, including Amazon.com and social media platforms. When you click on these links, you leave our website and are subject to the privacy policies of those third-party sites.

Loops & Threads is not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or security of any third-party websites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any website you visit. Our inclusion of links to third-party sites does not imply endorsement of their privacy practices.

Amazon Associates Program

As a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, when you click on product links and make purchases on Amazon.com, you are subject to Amazon’s Privacy Notice. Amazon may collect information about your browsing and purchase behavior, which we do not control. We receive aggregate commission data but do not receive personally identifiable information about your Amazon purchases.

9. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

Retention Criteria

The length of time we retain your information depends on several factors:

• Account Information: Retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period afterward
• Email Subscriptions: Retained until you unsubscribe from our mailing list
• Contact Inquiries: Retained for up to 3 years to maintain communication records and respond to follow-up questions
• Analytics Data: Typically retained in aggregate form for 26 months (Google Analytics default)
• Legal Requirements: Retained as long as necessary to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements

When we no longer need your personal information, we will securely delete or anonymize it so that it cannot be recovered or reconstructed.

10. International Data Transfers

Loops & Threads operates in the United States. If you access our website from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States where our servers are located and our central database is operated.

The data protection laws in the United States may differ from those in your country of residence. By using our website and providing your information, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States and acknowledge that we will handle your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

We take appropriate safeguards to ensure that your personal information remains protected in accordance with this Privacy Policy regardless of where it is processed.

11. Email Communications and Newsletters

When you subscribe to the Loops & Threads newsletter or provide your email address, you may receive:

• Updates about new yarn collections and product launches
• Free knitting and crochet patterns featuring Loops & Threads yarn
• Crafting tips, techniques, and inspiration
• Special promotions and exclusive offers
• Community news and fiber arts content

Unsubscribing

You can opt out of receiving marketing emails at any time by:

• Clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any email we send
• Emailing us at unsubscribe@theloops-threads.com
• Contacting us through our contact form with your unsubscribe request

Please note that even if you unsubscribe from marketing emails, we may still send you important transactional or administrative messages related to your inquiries or account.

12. Do Not Track Signals

Some web browsers have a “Do Not Track” (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you do not want your online activities tracked. Currently, there is no universal standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals.

At this time, our website does not respond to DNT signals. We continue to monitor developments in DNT standards and may update our practices in the future. You can manage tracking preferences through your browser settings and by managing cookies as described in the Cookies section of this Privacy Policy.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

Loops & Threads reserves the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or for other operational reasons. When we make changes, we will update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this policy.

Notification of Material Changes

If we make material changes to how we collect, use, or share your personal information, we will notify you by:

• Posting a prominent notice on our website
• Sending an email to the address you provided (if applicable)
• Updating this Privacy Policy with the new effective date

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information. Your continued use of our website after any changes to this Privacy Policy constitutes your acceptance of those changes.

This Privacy Policy was last updated in January 2025 and is effective immediately. It applies to all users of the Loops & Threads website and supersedes any prior privacy policies.