Welcoming Hedgehog Fibres to Loop!

We’ve had a fabulous time rolling out all our fabulous 20th anniversary treats over the past several weeks — and fear not, there’s more to come — but this week we wanted to go back to our roots and celebrate a really phenomenal yarn we’re so happy to have in the shop.

Hedgehog Fibres started the way all great yarn brands start: with the frustration of a knitter that she couldn’t find the types of fibres she wanted to be working with. Hedgehog founder Beata Jezek started knitting when she lost her job in the 2008 global financial crisis. After a few misguided makes (like a gigantic sock made of Aran weight yarn because she hadn’t quite got to grips with gauge) Beata became a confident knitter, and she grew frustrated that she was pouring hours into making garments out of scratchy acrylic yarns.

Fast forward to 2025 and Hedgehog Fibres is producing gorgeous skeins made of just the materials Beata was pining for. Originally from Slovakia, Beata has made her home in Cork, Ireland, and that’s where her stunning skeins are lovingly hand-dyed in small batches. Her Sock Yarn is a perfect combination of 90% merino wool and 10% nylon spun just for Hedgehog, resulting in a wonderfully smooth and soft knit with great stitch definition.

Beata brings her characteristic spirit of perfectionism to the yarns she creates, taking extra care to make sure her dyeing is done in a way that minimises striping and pooling. This bespoke approach to dyeing means there can be some variation between dye lots, but it’s completely worth it for the one-of-a-kind colour array you get.

The Hedgehog Fibres Sock Yarn is good for way more than just socks (though with sock season nearly upon us it’s the perfect time to stock up). Shawls, baby bonnets, gauntlets, lightweight tops — there’s very little this yarn can’t do!

Autumn Classes

Take your knitting to the next level this autumn with a class at Loop! We’ve added dates for our Beginner and Improver knitting classes, plus a special session on Finishing Techniques! Whether you’re just setting off on your knitting journey, looking to take your skill to the next level, or scratching your head about a technique you somehow missed along the way, a little bit of hands-on tuition goes a long way. Autumn is the perfect time to pick up your needles, so sign up and we’ll see you there!

An Update on US Customs

From 1st September 2025, we’re making shipping to the USA simpler with a Delivered Duties Paid (DDP) service. Any customs duties and tariffs — set by the US government and usually around 10% or less — will appear as a separate line at checkout, so you’ll see the full cost before you pay. No surprise bills from couriers, just a smoother and faster journey through customs.

Why the change? The US has removed the “de minimis” exemption for low-value shipments from the UK, which means even smaller orders can now be charged these tariffs. These are government-imposed fees, not charges from us, and the exact amount depends on the product and where it was made. With DDP, you’ll know everything upfront and can look forward to your order arriving without extra hassle. – (updated August 15 2025)

We’ll be back next week with more 20th anniversary joy. In the meantime, have a crafty weekend!