Loop 8 Yarn Review: Why Recycled Yarn Works for Tufting | UK Tufting

## Our tufting yarn recommendation: Loop 8

For beginners and regular rug makers, we recommend using a consistent super bulky yarn that can feed smoothly through a tufting gun. Loop 8 is our recycled 8-ply tufting yarn, designed for rug making, punch needle, weaving and textile art.

Each cone is 600g with approx. 890m of yarn, giving you enough material for small rugs, samples, colour blocking and detailed tufted work.

Shop Loop 8 tufting yarn here.

Recycled yarn has a reputation problem.

People hear "made from plastic bottles" and picture something scratchy, stiff, and functional at best. Not the kind of yarn you'd want to sink your feet into. Not the kind of yarn that belongs in a serious rug.

Loop 8 by Cheekyarn is here to change that impression entirely.

We stock it, we use it, and we recommend it to beginners and experienced makers alike. This is an honest look at why — covering everything that actually matters when you're choosing a tufting yarn.

⚡ Quick Answer

• Loop 8 is a 100% recycled PET super bulky yarn made by Cheekyarn, available now at UK Tufting
• 8-ply construction gives it exceptional density — rugs tuft up fuller and faster than with standard yarn
• Feeds smoothly through tufting guns including the AK-V with minimal jamming or tension issues
• Soft, fluffy texture that feels genuinely luxurious underfoot despite being made from recycled plastic
• Strong and durable — holds pile shape well and doesn't flatten with use
• GRS certified — Global Recycled Standard, independently verified
• Currently available in Asphalt (001) and Milk Tooth (002) at UK Tufting

What Is Loop 8?

Loop 8 is Cheekyarn's flagship tufting yarn — a super bulky, 8-ply yarn made entirely from recycled polyester (PET). Every cone is produced from post-consumer recycled plastic and certified to the Global Recycled Standard.

Each cone contains 600g of yarn across approximately 890 metres — generous enough for a standard-sized rug with room to spare for colour changes and test swatches.

It sits at weight category 6 (super bulky) — which is exactly where you want to be for rug tufting.

The Case for Recycled Yarn

There's an assumption in the making community that sustainable materials mean compromised performance. You're either making something good or making something responsible — not both.

Loop 8 is a direct challenge to that assumption.

Modern recycled PET yarn has come a long way. The processing technology has improved significantly, and the result is a yarn that's softer, more consistent, and more performance-driven than the recycled yarns of five years ago.

You're not choosing Loop 8 despite it being recycled. You're choosing it because of what the recycled construction makes possible — and because the environmental case is a genuine bonus, not a trade-off.

How It Performs in a Tufting Gun

This is the question that matters most. A yarn can look beautiful on a cone and still be a nightmare to actually tuft with.

Feed and Tension

Loop 8 feeds consistently through a tufting gun needle. The 8-ply construction gives it enough body to move cleanly through the mechanism without the slipping or bunching you can get with looser, single-ply yarns.

We tested it extensively in the AK-V 2-in-1 in both cut pile and loop pile modes — it handled both without issue. Colour changes were smooth, and the yarn showed no tendency to fray at the cut end during threading.

Pile Consistency

Because Loop 8 is machine-spun to a consistent thickness, the pile height stays even across a tufting session. This matters more than most beginners realise — inconsistent yarn thickness is one of the most common causes of uneven pile, and it's entirely avoidable with a quality yarn.

Jamming

In our testing, Loop 8 caused no jams. The twist and ply structure means it moves predictably through the needle, even at higher speeds.

The Texture: What It Actually Feels Like

Here's where Loop 8 genuinely surprises people.

The 8-ply construction creates a yarn that's noticeably fluffier and softer than you'd expect from a recycled synthetic. When tufted into a rug, the individual plies fan out slightly — giving the finished pile a full, plush, almost cloud-like quality.

It's soft enough to be comfortable barefoot. Firm enough to hold its shape under foot traffic. And resilient enough to spring back after being compressed — which is what gives a quality rug that satisfying bounce underfoot.

This isn't yarn that looks good in photos and feels mediocre in person. It's the other way around — genuinely impressive to touch.

The Colours: Asphalt and Milk Tooth

Loop 8 launches at UK Tufting with two colours — both chosen deliberately as the most versatile starting point for any palette.

001 Asphalt

A deep, cool-toned charcoal. The kind of colour that works as a hard outline, a background, or the main event. Particularly striking in geometric designs where contrast is everything.

002 Milk Tooth

An off-white with the faintest warmth — not stark, not cream, but somewhere quietly in between. The neutral that pairs with anything and lets other colours breathe.

Both colours showed excellent dye saturation and consistency across the cone — no fading toward the centre, no variation in tone between sessions.

Colour fastness is rated at grade 4–5 out of 5 — meaning colours hold well through cleaning and everyday use.

The Specs at a Glance

Who Is Loop 8 For?

Perfect for beginners because:

• Feeds smoothly and predictably — fewer jams, less frustration
• Dense pile builds up quickly — satisfying results from your first session
• Forgiving with tension — consistent thickness means consistent pile

Great for experienced makers because:

• The 8-ply density creates a premium finish that photographs beautifully
• Colour fastness holds up for pieces intended for sale or gifting
• The recycled credentials add genuine value to a handmade piece

Worth considering if you care about sustainability:

• GRS certified — not a marketing claim, an independently verified standard
• Made from post-consumer recycled PET
• No formaldehyde detected in testing

Any Downsides?

Honestly, very few at this price point and quality level.

The colour range is currently limited to two shades — which is the most obvious limitation if you're working on a multi-colour project. More colours are on the way, but for now, Asphalt and Milk Tooth are the starting point.

As with any synthetic yarn, colour appearance can vary slightly between screens and real life — we'd recommend ordering a cone to check in person if you're colour-matching across a larger project.

The Verdict

Recycled yarn used to mean compromise. Loop 8 doesn't.

It feeds well, tufts beautifully, holds its pile, and feels genuinely luxurious underfoot — all while being made from 100% recycled plastic and certified to an internationally recognised standard.

If you've been looking for a tufting yarn you can feel good about using, this is it.

Shop Loop 8 in Asphalt and Milk Tooth now at UK Tufting.

Tuft better. Waste less. 🧵

New to tufting? Read our guide on best yarn for rug tufting in the UK for a full breakdown of what to look for, or check our complete beginner's checklist to make sure you've got everything you need.