Loop

I visited Loop (from Yorkshire) on 21st August. I was delighted by the beautiful arrays of yarn (a knitters paradise). The Loop team were incredible, very helpful and engaging making you feel comfortable and giving helpful advice. There is a lot of joy and inspiration in this beautiful place. I left with plenty of yarn and a happy memory. Camden Passage is a great place to get lunch too, all a short walk from Angel Underground station.

Fascinating wool shop tucked away in a side street of Islington. They have a large selection of yarns of different types but it's pricey if you wish to buy in bulk. The shop is located on multiple levels and is of little use if you cannot climb them. That includes the entrance too. Staff were very helpful/knowledgeable. Great place if you wish to find something a little different and are not afraid to pay a premium.

Whilst this shop does have a wide selection of beautiful (mainly luxury) yarn in a wide range of colours, as an ND person I find it very overwhelming going in there! I buy online unless absolutely necessary. It's small, crowded, tricky to navigate without having to squeeze past people and displays, stuffed to bursting with things and if you want something specific it can be hard to find by yourself. Some staff can be either abrupt or vague depending who you get. It's not hugely accessible either as the door is very small and there are steps everywhere even to get through the door.

Very nice wool shop in Camden. You can find any type of wool of very good quality, just a little bit expensive. Otherwise big choice of wool and patterns. Just bought some Alpaca to knit a jacquard… Last year I did a jumper with mohair from this shop.

It’s an amazing place but their attitude to me was downright exclusionary and they basically sent me to shop elsewhere (to be specific, they sent me on a wild goose chase to an anonymous hardware store at the far end of Islington market). Was it because I’m a crocheting newbie? Was it because I’m vegan and was looking for non-animal yarn (which for the avoidance of doubt, they do carry)? Or was it that I’m visibly queer? I don’t know, but they gave me the *strongest* ‘this place is not for you’ vibe. Good luck, babes.

It’s always such a delight to talk with the helpful people at Loop and get their advice and ideas on my next project. They are experienced and friendly and the wonderful array of yarns is breathtaking.

Lovely fibre shop in Islington. Located in the tucked-away area of Camden Passage, making this a fabulous stop amongst the antiques and boutiques. The shop itself is very sweet with a pretty good selection of yarns given its size. They have a lot of great pattern books and single patterns. Lots of embroidery thread available as well.

Wonderful selection of yarn with a great variety. I also enjoyed the range of accessories available. Helpful staff. A Knitter's dream!

UNRESPONSIVE and totally BOGUS - Visiting from another country and was super excited to purchase yarn and a kit! Called, left a voicemail and emailed over 3 days to confirm store was open before I made the 1 hour trek from our hotel. No response. Soo frustrating and sad! Why have a business? Why make a potential customer have to work soo hard to see if you're even open? Found another yarn store (BK) that answered their phone, confirmed their hours and appreciated my business! DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME WITH THIS PLACE!

There selection was fantastic. I was specifically looking for mohair and patterns. I found both in abundance!

Lovely shop with tons of yarn and kind staff. Card only purchases. I enjoyed browsing the skeins and picking a souvenir. The area the shop is in is very hip. Worth a visit! Lots of price points. I got mini skeins made special for the shop.

This is known as a yarn mecca, a must if visiting London. Now I know why. I walked out with a good stash of yarn that I had never seen before, a pattern for them, and a wonderful experience. The staff is really nice and knowledgeable. I could have spent all day, and a lot of money there. Luckily, I didn't have more room in my luggage.

According to Vogue Knitting, knitting is the new yoga for men! Well, I like to think so myself, even though I would say that crocheting is the new Pilates? My Mum taught me how to knit when I was little and I still remember how we sat together in the living room, the TV running in the background and me fighting with the loops or stitches not being of equal consistency and thus my scarf having a rather different width... Fast forward twenty some years and I'm finding myself on the sofa again. This time I'm crocheting a beanie...and this time my loops are much more consistent. I guess some skills improve with age. For my various projects I love coming to Loop, as they have a wonderful selection of different yarns and knitting gear such as needles, tutorials etc. I also find the staff very friendly, helpful and above all knowledgeable. Tip for all beginners: check out some great tutorials on YouTube. This is where I learned to crochet. I love the Internet for that!

Such a bright and vibrant little shop. Extremely inspiring, and full of too many things i want. What really caught my eye were some chunky turquoise knitting needles! Lucky me, my friend bought them as a christmas pressie, so i have to wait a bit, but they are worth it! The staff seemed very friendly, and didn't mind me taking lots of photos! They didn't have the wool i wanted, but it does seem rather hard to find so i wasn't surprised. This shop is a good excuse to visit Upper street!

A wonderful independent yarn store and haberdashers tucked away in hip Camden Passage in Islington, Loop is every textilists dream! Having visited before to shop, the store is well laid out with everything presented in the most deliciously tempting way! A real key point is that many yarns have been searched up, making it possible to see the patterns in the dye and the project potential of the product! Scatters amongst these yarns on the ground floor are accessories, books and treasures of vintage haberdashery tools, buttons and ornaments- all laid out with absolute care and precision! Continue through the shop and creep up the staircase you will find yourself in a library filled with patterns, how-to books and more often than not, a member of staff knitting away in the corner, ready to answer questions or help you browse. On this particular occasion I visited for a short course, held across two weekends, which was beautifully run and hugely informative! I would definitely recommend booking yourself on one of these if you have an interest in all things textile! (Tea and biscuits were provided as well!) The only thing I would have to mention about Loop is it is very pricey, but for the quality and rarity of the stock, it's definitely worth treating yourself!!

This is the best knitting shop in London. Its pretty hidden off Upper Street in Islington, but its worth coming here for any supplies that you might need. You can discuss the pattern you want to make, buy one of their many books on the subject, choose from the many varieties of yarn, and you're set!! Should you get stuck though, they even have a free session where they help you out with your knots and loops! Along with cake and tea of course. There are also a variety of classes on crochet, knitting experiments, and basic knitting. I love the yarn here, I got a gorgeous fire red variety of wool from South Africa that I'm making a Christmas scarf for. Who you ask?! Lets see how it turns out...

I spent quite a few blissful hours figuring out the best yarn to bring home from my pilgrimage to Loop. I loved the place, but it is a small shop compared to the reputation it holds. Everything was great, but when I checked out, I was surprised that they didn't offer a Tax refund. The staff, very helpful and kind, said that it was a process that I could do myself at the airport by filling out a form. With plenty of time I attempted to get my valuable VAT back (£60 is no joke!), but I learned it is not possible unless the vendor does the form at the time of purchase. I know that as a small shop they don't want to deal with it, but with people coming from all over the world to likely spend more than £75, this should be something to offer your clientele.

I'm very excited to have found this place. I've been getting back into knitting recently but hadn't really discovered one store that has it all: bamboo needles, books with pattern you'd actually want to wear, variegated yarns..until i came here. I was looking for a particular Debbie Bliss book that I'd seen in America and not only did I find it here amongst her whole range, but I picked up a Louis Harding book too, a designer who marries wool with high fashion - yes, it IS possible!. I'm a big fan of Alpaca wool, so I bought a few balls of Frog Tree for £5 each and some lovely picture buttons from the haberdashery section. There's a lot of classes you can take here too, a very relaxing way to unwind and meet like-minded knitting freaks.

Delightful in every way: tall and narrow, filled up with beautiful yarn and accessories. I just needed a cable needle, but came away with a lovely pattern and a sweet hand-made wooden needle gauge. The staff was very helpful and low key and the vibe was very positive. I will have to find another excuse to come by before heading back home (US). Plus, the immediate area is good for design exploration.

The folks at Loop could NOT have been more helpful and accommodating. They directed me to local yarns, were extremely knowledgable about their products, and were willing to chat with me while they wound one of my purchases for immediate use. Their friendliness and offer of a plastic bag for my computer (it was raining) was much appreciated. Right up the street from the Angel tube stop, this shop is well worth a visit if you're anywhere in London.

Just made my first visit to Loop, on a trip to London when I realized I neglected to bring an Addi circular needed for my current project. This is a very high-end shop, with prices to match. Much emphasis on popular, high-end yarn brands (Madelinetosh, etc.) but also some smaller-name UK brands -- a better choice for 'souvenir yarn'. And speaking of souvenirs: purchases of more than 25 pounds come away in a canvas 'Loop'-screened sack! Nice touch. Sales people were super helpful, both with figuring out the correct size needle I needed and pointing out to me the boutique UK brand yarns. I really loved all the knit-up samples; such a great way to see patterns and yarns in action. Diverse selection of needles and other notions, including cute project bags, ribbons, buttons. Nice selection of seating in various nooks. Yarn is arranged well, with thinner stuff downstairs and thicker on the floor above.

Lovely little shop with beautiful yarns, crochet and knitting needles and other charming needle working materials. Friendly staff and very well stocked.

I went to loop a few days ago, for the first time after years of waiting to find the chance to get to London from a busy professional travelling schedule. I was in London for the day, and went out of my way for the occasion , and I am still in Shock at the poor treatment received. Barely any acknowlegement when I came in despite my jolly attitude, no interest in what I needed, or even what I was there for. The whole customer / shop staff interaction therefore being very awkward I made my way upstairs and was very closely ?!? followed by a sales lady who seemed to help a little albeit not really being able to answer my questions most times. The books are all tucked on a shelf in A corner, ' no we don't have this, no I can't find that..' .. I had to ask for the sales lady to look up a pattern on ravelry for me , and she struggled to find it.. I left with some yarn but felt spied on throughout, and I am still offended and sad at how the whole visit made me feel. The staff is as happy about selling yarn as they would potatoes on a marketstall and that's really not what it should be about. I was very nice and thanked them throughout and bitterly regret it. Will never return there or shop online there again. What a disappointment. May I add that I personally know big names of the knitting Design world for living in Edinburgh and belonging to a knitting group where two of the most British knitting Designers used to go.....

With textile arts so insanely popular again, there are more and more yarn shops popping up. However, none of them meets Loop in terms of either quality or service. The shop itself is beautiful - yes, a bit twee, but that's just the style. It's fashionable and boutiquey and fits in perfectly with the area. It's split over two stories of an old building, so if you're mobility-impaired beware that you will not be able to get up to the second floor. There are also steps to get into the front door, which is very very narrow. The stock is high end premium yarn. This is not your grandmother's yarn shop. I've seen some other reviewers complaining about the prices - but this is simply the price of luxury and artisan yarn & tools, which many of us prefer to use these days over scratchy acrylic and commercial brands. You will find artisan, hand-dyed, specialty, rare, breed-specific, imported, and luxury yarns. If you expect to spent £1 a ball and knit a naff baby hat, you're in the wrong place. ;) The staff are always friendly and open-minded. They're generally young and cool and helpful and without attitude. I've ordered things online and through the phone and both were fast and efficient, but I do prefer to go in in person and just enjoy the pretty shop. The only thing I'd say is that that £%&#@ door needs to be fixed. It's a split door but one half is always shut. It was a sideways squeeze before (it's like a foot wide...) when open but now I'm pregnant I literally can't get in the half door! Sort that out, guys. All in all, 5/5 and an essential visit for a craftsperson!

I was delighted to find the location of a yarn shop in Islington while surfing the internet. I decided to venture out there this pass rainy Saturday. I walked down Cross Street and kept looking up under my umbrella thinking that I had missed it, but luckily they had a sign on the sidewalk or else I would've strolled right by. The building is tucked next to a larger building, so without the sign it might've been easy to miss. I was happy to find it (and get out of the rain). It's a tiny shop, but has an extraordinary selection of... anything and everything yarn/knitting/crochet related. There is literally a wall of yarn--they'll gladly climb up a ladder to help you grab the skeins on the higher shelves. Though the cashmere is a bit pricey, I couldn't help but cuddle up to it. Loop also has plenty of books and kits, whether you're a newbie knitter or an experienced crocheter. I was also excited to see that they sell Lantern Moon needles. They're fancy (and strong) knitting needles made with rosewood from Vietnam. I had never seen them in store before. They carry plenty of haberdashery from recognizable brands such as Clover, Susan Bates, and Boye. Not only do they sell all this awesome haberdashery, they also sell items by textile artists. I smiled when I saw a set of beautiful vases by Annette Bugansky (www.cockpitarts.com). She hand makes lovely knitted textured ceramics. There were also intricately knitted blankets, gloves, and scarves for sale by other artists randomly placed throughout the store. Classes are also available, so check their schedule online. Overall my experience here was very pleasant. The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable, though it got a bit crowded in there on a Saturday afternoon. I walked out with some Susan Bates crochet needles and Rowan DK wool for an upcoming crochet session (enough for 5 people). And the damage was less than £20!

Lovely little yarn shop. They were so helpful when I called them in a panic from NY, right before my London flight, looking for a particular dye lot to complete a last-minute Christmas gift. They put it on hold and it was waiting for me the next day.

I don't go to loop enough, but that is probably a good thing as I would end up spending so much money on wool and needles and that would not be good!! If you have knitting/crochet needs, this is def the place to go. They stock lots and lots of wool.. lace wool, sock wool, merino, silk, alpaca, basic wool, tweed, and loads of colours. Prices range from about £4.50 per ball to at least £35 for super dooper yarn (I haven't quite ventured to those lofty heights yet!). And the staff are extremely helpful, they will advise on the most basic of questions, even help you out with any knitting queries. I'm pretty sure they have classes in the month and there is a knit and natter once a week if you fancy it!! A must for any knitter!! xyz

What a wonderful wee shop! A quaint wee place tucked away in a cute little back street of Islington. It's a very short walk from the tube station (Angel) and is easy to find. This to me is a high end knitting shop, a total pleasure to visit, lots of lovely yarns over two floors to squish and really great staff who are knowledgeable and really helpful. You definitely feel like you are not being rushed which is nice :-) I purchased some gorgeous yarn to knit my new winter hat and a scrummy angora bobble to top it off with. I also picked up a kit to make a baby hat. There is Madeleine Tosh yarn and lots of other brands too. I spotted Toft and Debbie Bliss too and I saw sock yarn from about £4.50 and I also squished the most amazing yarn which was £26 (I think) it was so soft that I actually gasped/sighed when I touched it. I bought my yarn because of a hat I saw in the shop and later after my visit I realised I had been given the wrong pattern, I was heading to get a train back to Glasgow so couldn't nip back, I rang the shop and explained and they are popping the pattern in the post for me :-) Hopefully ill be back in the area soon, can't wait to pop back :-)

Little shop tucked away on an interesting street. Lots to choose from but I didn't see much in the way of local dyers and the staff wasn't unfriendly, but also didn't seem like they wanted to help either. Maybe I just caught them at a busy time? Go try it...nothing to loose.

A decent selection of yarns. A small store, but incredibly friendly and chatty staff. As an American in London, the prices seem super high to me, but they're in line with yarn prices everywhere in London. The 2 gals working when I was in were helpful and searched through some unclaimed special orders to fulfill my wish of colour of Malabrigo (mmm). And they bumped me up to the next level with my punch card as I was quite close. I'll definitely be back!

Beautiful little shop! Nicely decorated, good inventory, helpful and knowledgeable staff. Prices are kinda painful, though... This is the first knit store I visited in London, and the one that others must measure up to! Great selection of books! I bought a Japanese stitch book/dictionary that was amazing!

I've gone 3 times now as a pilgrimage right before Xmas. Everyone is always very helpful, even though it's obviously a very busy time of year for them. Excellent patterns, beautiful yarns. Very large selection. I like to go to local knitting stores on my travels, and if I'm in London I'll always make a point of going to Loop. More than one floor- make sure you go upstairs!!

Although I no longer live in Islington, I have been known to make trips back just for Loop. Situated a fair trek from both Angel and Highbury & Islington stations, you might want to hop on a 73 or 38 bendy bus up the road from Angel a bit (that hill can be wearing if you're already tired). The yarn in here is so beautiful that I actually just want to throw myself into it and rummage around like a small animal. I have been known to buy things on the basis that the colour was pretty, or it was soft. Nice. The shop is enormously friendly, and although rarely busy, the only downside is that an Islington yummy mummy may be totally blocking any hope you have of getting to see anything with her double buggy and little darlings. My major recommendation for Loop is that you know what you need and don't allow yourself to be distracted by shiny things!

I adore Loop. Yes, it's at the pricer end of yarn stores but it's a fairly acrylic-free zone and if you want cashmere you'll have to shell out the pennies for it. If at all possible, visit during the week as it gets so crowded at the weekends. One baby buggy in there and the place is impenetrable. Good stockist of notions and needles and artisan yarn. There's a loyalty card and staff are good about calling you back when out of stock products become available again. Some classes are held downstairs too.

A lovely knitting shop in Islington. They have a great selection of yarns, from designers like Rowan to more unusual, hand spun yarns. Its really nicely done, and feels really homely and well stocked. They are really friendly, and run a clinic on Saturdays where you can bring your projects in for help if you have gone wrong. The classes they do are really excellent. They do begginner and more advanced classes and the teachers are great. Definately worth a visit if you are into kniting/crochet, or if you want to learn

This place is ace! It's jam packed with beautiful yarns and craft paraphernalia and best of all, really friendly helpful staff. Everything is well designed. I noticed some great local events being advertised in the window. Word on the street is that they run a Knitting SOS - a much needed support group for knitting mishaps and perhaps those needing some needle recovery... As sock knitting is the craze du jour, I have been reliably informed that you can pop in for some expert instruction when your Magic Loop goes horribly, horribly wrong. Like mine has. Be warned. I thought knitting would be an integral and nostalgic part of my credit crunching, money saving drive. However, I walked away having committed some heinous credit card abuse. It's all too easily done.

If you are really into knitting this is the place to buy supplies or even to take up on such a wonderful hobby. Loop is a very sweet little shop located in Islington. Although it's not really easy to find you should definitely give it a try, because it's worth it. They offer all kinds of yarn, most of which are imported, but never the less of very high quality. They cater for all needs- starting with the usual classic wool yarn and ending with ones you just keep staring at and wonder, how has someone though of making such a yarn. The staff are all very friendly and welcoming. They are always ready to give you a useful advice or two and share their experience and knowledge. Overall a great place.

I made the mistake of thinking as a non knitter I would be able to cope. I was wrong. The overpowering scent of wool mad ladies and their serious pattern needs almost tipped me over the edge. I left just in time to retain my dignity and my sanity. Non knitting partners, you have been warned

Loop is a yarn boutique and serious knitters understand what they have here. It's difficult to compare to a department store, because Loop carries the local indie dyers that are hard to find. I raced the clock to reach their locked doors; they must have understood the wild knitter look in my eyes, because they unlocked it for me and gave me three minutes. When I uttered the magic words, "souvenir yarn" they pointed me to the Old Maiden Aunt bin. I had been tipped ahead of time that they stocked Wollmeise and they had a nice selection of that yarn. Very nice service; too bad I didn't get to spend much more time in the store but liked what I saw.

Really nice little shop in such a cute, unassuming spot. Their products are of very high quality and are appreciated by a customer base of very seasoned knitters (I could tell by the shoppers while I was in there). The only problem for me is.....the price! It's REALLY expensive! I'm a huge fan of Honor Parry in Battersea and can't really wrap my head around paying nearly double the prices, especially since Loop is lacking Honor Parry's most valuable asset- the little shop keeper woman! Loop is a very nice shop to poke around in if you're in Islington, but honestly I'm not sure how people can afford to shop here on a regular basis. That said, I bought some gorgeous green alpaca yarn (grand total of nearly £15) but don't plan on revisiting again too soon...unless of course I get a massive pay raise!

It makes me very sad to write this review as there are not enough wool shops in London. However, I would rather give up knitting than have to go back to this place. My first visit went well. I can see that it may be overwhelming for the novice but as a die-hard knitter I felt at home. Therefore I decided to take a friend when I re-visited. This time it was not as enjoyable. My friend wanted to learn so I was hoping to pick up some cheap wool and needles (impossible here) and they lack an odd-balls section which would make it much more affordable. The worst part was the service. The lady at the till was very nice and sweet but the second lady (who I suspect is the owner), I found rude. She laughed at my lack of knowledge regarding terminology, said she was going to get us something and then did not bother and left a general sour taste in our mouths.

The main plus for this sweet and stylish little knitting shop is its presentation. Light, bright and airy with wool piled on shelves in a tactile display and friendly service from knowledgeable knitters this is a great shop for any Islingtonian's knitting needs. Whilst not as Alice-in-Wonderland magical as the brilliant Prick Your Finger, Loop reflects the area it is in and the type of more yuppified customer it is likely to attract here on Cross Street.

Loop is an adorable boutique which primarily sells balls of wool. I use this store to pick up fibres for my scrap-booking projects and they have the best selection of unusual yarns I've found in London. Most of them are sourced internationally and there's a wide selection of materials too. It's slightly off the beaten track hidden in a residential area but well worth a visit. As well as the wools they sell all sorts of crochet and knitting supplies, books, toys and clothing.

I love this place. It's really quite small, but if you like your yarns, you will spend a lot of time fondling the wool and lusting over the knitting accessories. The choice of yarns was so much better than anything I can get in my home town and the staff were friendly. Even the customers talk to one another and discuss their latest projects and offer advice. A must for knitters and crocheters.

This is one of my favourite shops in London. As it is just a short bus ride from my place of work I can pop up there when I'm having a bad day and come out feeling ready to face the world again. I learnt to knit as a child and my obsession kinda waned in the face of young motherhood (I mean when the kids were young rather than myself sadly) but I recently decided it was time to start up again and to find somewhere like Loop makes it all the easier. I have even been on a knitting course there to learn new techniques. Check them out at http://www.loop.gb.com .

I have been to a lot of knitting stores and this one was definitely NOT worth the trip from central London. Dark store with very little natural light on main floor, narrow door to squeeze through while entering, and absolutely no greeting or offer to assist me during my 20 minute browse. I found the selection minimal compared to the many Canadian and American stores that I have visited and the prices were as much as double what I am used to. Samples looked about 10 years old and other than a cute window outside, I really disliked the store and the atmosphere.

I took a quick, pleasant underground train trip from our hotel and ended up in the world of Eliza Doolittle! This yarn shop had every other one I visited in London beat hands down for friendly, knowledgeable staff, great selection of choice hand dyed yarn from the UK, fabulous historical neighborhood with tons of antique shops and great little cafes, and just plain fun. I think I must have spent close to two hours there and it went like five minutes. When my husband got the bill he said, " You do know you were spending Pound, not Dollars, don't you?"..... Of course I forgot. How else could he understand? Don't miss the basement where they give lessons. That is where Eliza would have like to live. It has a scrolled Victorian Fireplace. Also, if you like to picnic, there are rows of parks that served the Georgian homes just a block away, behind the shop. You can pretend you were a Dickens character or Elizabeth Barren Browning. Some of Charles Dickens are actually set in this neighborhood. If you can leave Camden Passage without a purchase, you have no heart for the beautiful or the poetic.

Yes this shop is cute, however, I have to say I just find the staff more interested in talking to each other than helping customers. I used to work nearby and went in at least once a week and spent a LOT of money there, they never said hello or acknowledged me. If I bought a skein there was never an offer to wind it off for me or do anything other than stand around looking 'cool'. I think this shop is overrated, unfortunately I don't know of any others. If I had the money myself I would set up and do it better!

Gorgeous shop in a beautiful part of London. Very helpful staff that saved the day with some Addi Turbo circular needles that enabled me to continue knitting on my trip around the world.

Loop is easily among my favourite places in all of London. Literally everyone who works there is warm, clever and creative. The service is top notch - the ladies will bend over backwards to find solutions to your knitting woes and provide whatever you need. Classes are taught by caring, inspiring teachers, plus there are seminars and masterclasses with top knitwear designers. And the yarns!!!!!!!! Easily one of the best selections in the world of high quality yarns drawn from an international pool of independent dyers. On top of all this, Loop stocks gorgeous haberdashery plus to die for handmade blankets, stoles, notebooks and cards. Such a beautiful place.

I love this shop so much. They always have the most beautiful yarns and the people that work there are very friendly and incredibly helpful. They even let me wind my yarn on their swift that was bought overseas. I wind up leaving the shop with far more than I go in for and always with a calm and happy feeling. The yarns they get actually inspired me to take up knitting again after a break for a few years- it doesn't get better than that. I'm so happy they are around.