There’s been a lot of talk lately about new tariffs—and if you’ve seen some whispers (or heard some groans) about price increases coming to the crafting world, you’re not imagining things.
At Tink & The Frog, we want you to have the information you need, a sense of what’s ahead, and a reminder that together, we can navigate these changes while keeping our creative community strong.
Let’s talk about what’s happening, what you can expect, and what we can do to keep crafting joy—even in uncertain times.
What’s Going On with Tariffs?
New tariffs on goods imported from certain countries—including China—are impacting industries across the board, and yes, that includes yarn and tools. Even U.S.-based companies are feeling the effects because many raw materials (like fibers, dyes, and packaging) come from a global supply chain.
Some examples close to home:
- ChiaoGoo needles, a favorite among many knitters, are designed by a Michigan company but manufactured in China. Due to tariffs, their prices will be going up starting in mid-May. (If you’ve been thinking about investing in a set, we highly recommend ordering sooner rather than later!)
- Yarn supply delays: Some of our most popular yarn lines are experiencing backorders and delays due to port congestion. We’re still waiting on shipments that were supposed to arrive in March!
- Price adjustments: Several of our yarn vendors have told us that prices will likely rise in the coming months—not because they want them to, but because their own materials are costing more.
Even yarns dyed here in the U.S. or sourced from nearby countries like Canada can be impacted.
What You Can Expect from Tink & The Frog
We’re committed to keeping quality and value high while balancing accessibility wherever possible.
Here’s what we’re doing:
- Carefully selecting suppliers who are transparent and ethical.
- Keeping a range of high-quality yarns and tools at a variety of price points.
- Ensuring our staff, instructors, and shop community stay strong and supported.
- Communicating openly: We’ll let you know about major changes when it makes sense, and we’ll always help you find beautiful, affordable options for your projects.
One thing we will never do is sacrifice quality. When you shop with us, you’re getting materials that feel better to work with, last longer, and make your projects shine.
How You Can Help
While we can’t control the global economy, we can control how we support each other locally.
Here’s what you can do to make a real difference:
Shop small and local whenever you can.
Every time you buy from a small business, you’re keeping your community vibrant and your neighbors employed.
Choose quality over quantity.
Better yarn means better projects—and often, a little goes a lot further than cheaper alternatives.
Stay connected.
Come to a social stitching event, join a Sip & Stitch night, take a class, or simply stop in and say hello. Crafting together builds joy and resilience.
📞 Use your voice!
Contact your elected officials to share how tariffs impact small businesses—and your household.
Need a script? Here’s a simple, nonpartisan message you can leave after hours:
“Hello, my name is [Name], and I live in [City/State]. I’m calling to ask you to please consider how tariffs are impacting small businesses and working families. Rising costs hurt local economies and make it harder for small businesses to survive. Please prioritize policies that support small businesses and communities like ours. Thank you.”
A quick voicemail makes a difference—and it only takes a few minutes.
What Kind of Community Do We Want to Build?
It’s tempting to chase the lowest price, especially when times feel uncertain. But when the dust settles, what kind of community do we want to live in?
Downtown Adrian has incredible small businesses, and we’re all hustling every day to make our corner of Michigan a welcoming, creative, joyful place to be.
When you shop at Tink & The Frog, you’re not just buying yarn—you’re investing in real people, real relationships, and a stronger local economy.
Thank you for being part of our community. Thank you for believing in what small businesses can do. And thank you for choosing Crafting Joy with us—even when things get a little harder.
We’re honored to be your local yarn store. 💜
