Last updated: March 27, 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how Stouto Creative Crochet (“we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal information when you visit or use our website at https://stouto.co.za.
By using this website, signing up for our newsletter, creating an account, making a purchase, or contacting us, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
1. Who We Are
Stouto Creative Crochet is a crochet pattern and creative content website based in South Africa.
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how your personal information is used, you can contact us at:
Email: store@stouto.co.za
Website: stouto.co.za
2. Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of personal information:
Personal Information You Provide
- Name
- Email address
- Billing and purchase-related details
- Account information
- Newsletter preferences
- Any information you send through forms, messages, or customer support requests
Automatically Collected Information
- IP address
- Browser type and device information
- Pages visited and time spent on the site
- Referral links and navigation behaviour
- Cookie and analytics data
3. How We Use Your Information
We may use your information to:
- Provide and maintain our website and services
- Process orders and provide access to purchased digital products
- Send order confirmations, download information, and customer service emails
- Respond to enquiries or support requests
- Send newsletter updates, pattern releases, promotions, and crochet-related content if you have opted in
- Improve our website, products, and customer experience
- Monitor usage, performance, and security of the site
4. Newsletter and Marketing Emails
If you subscribe to our mailing list, we may send you crochet newsletters, new pattern updates, inspiration, promotions, and occasional shop-related news.
You will only receive newsletter or marketing emails if you have signed up, opted in, or otherwise given permission where required.
You can unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any newsletter email or by contacting us directly.
5. Transactional Emails
Even if you unsubscribe from marketing emails, we may still send you service-related emails that are necessary to complete your purchase or manage your account, such as order confirmations, digital download access, password resets, or customer support replies.
6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We may use cookies and similar technologies to improve your browsing experience, remember preferences, understand how visitors use the site, and help with analytics or website performance.
Cookies may be used for:
- Website functionality
- Shopping cart and login sessions
- Analytics and traffic monitoring
- Remembering cookie preferences
You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings. Please note that some parts of the website may not function properly if cookies are disabled.
7. Sharing of Information
We do not sell your personal information.
We may share personal information only when necessary with trusted third-party service providers that help us operate the website and provide our services, such as:
- Website hosting and technical providers
- Payment processors
- Email/newsletter platforms
- Analytics or website tools
- Security and fraud prevention providers
These providers may only process your information as needed to perform services on our behalf or as required by law.
8. Data Retention
We keep personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including providing services, maintaining records, complying with legal obligations, resolving disputes, and enforcing agreements.
9. Your Rights
Depending on where you live and the laws that apply to you, you may have the right to:
- Request access to your personal information
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request deletion of your personal information
- Withdraw consent for marketing communications
- Object to or restrict certain uses of your information where applicable
To make a request, please contact us at store@stouto.co.za.
10. Data Security
We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, misuse, disclosure, alteration, or loss. However, no method of internet transmission or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
11. International Visitors
Our website may be accessed from countries outside South Africa. By using the site or providing your information, you understand that your data may be processed and stored in South Africa or in other countries where our service providers operate.
12. Children's Privacy
Our website and services are not intended for children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can remove it.
13. Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites, marketplaces, social media platforms, or external services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those third-party websites, and we encourage you to review their privacy policies separately.
14. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to our services, legal obligations, or website features. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Last updated” date.
15. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact us at:
Stouto Creative Crochet
Email: store@stouto.co.za
Website: https://stouto.co.za
