State of the Frog Address: Year Four
Four is my all-time favorite number, so I’ve been very excited to write this one!
I’m sitting at Buzz Café (aka, my office) with my coffee, writing this wearing my Mystic Square sweater, designed by James Watts, which feels fitting because this year I actually got to meet him. At a trade show. In real life. If you had told me ten years ago that I’d be running a yarn shop, flying to industry trade shows, and meeting designers whose patterns I knit, I probably would have laughed and asked what alternate universe you were describing.
(seriously, I couldn’t even knit then)
And yet… here we are.
Tink & The Frog just turned four. Holy crap!
Year four has been a big one. Not just busy (though it certainly was that), but a year of real growth and setting the stage for what comes next. If the first few years were about getting the shop open, figuring things out, and surviving the learning curve, this year felt more like positioning ourselves to scale and build something sustainable for the long haul.
New Things, Big Steps
One of the most exciting developments this year was launching two subscription programs.
First we launched Tink’s Treasures, a maker’s monthly subscription focused on fun tools, gadgets, and little surprises. We had 10 sign-ups overall, though a few people have come and gone as subscriptions often do. Still, it’s another piece of the puzzle that lets us bring something special to our customers every month.
Then came the Irish Hills Yarn Club, which now has 15 members receiving exclusive yarn each month. Watching that come together—from idea to real yarn in people’s hands—has been incredibly satisfying. It’s one of those things that started as a “maybe someday” idea and turned into a real part of the shop.
And of course, there are the Surprise Boxes, which have become a favorite tradition around here. This year we curated and shipped three Surprise Boxes—75 boxes total—filled with yarn, goodies, and creative inspiration. It’s a lot of work behind the scenes, but seeing people open them and share their excitement makes it completely worth it.
We’ll be launching our Anniversary Surprise Box later this month, which is a perfect way to celebrate four years of Tink & The Frog.
Events, Community, and So Much Yarn
One of the things I love most about this shop is the way it brings people together.
This year we hosted three Lock-Ins (with a fourth scheduled for Friday the 13th!), those cozy gatherings where everyone settles in with yarn, snacks, and good company.
We also started something brand new: Stitches & Stories Book Club. We partner with Tropetastic Books so the books are available locally, and we gather at the shop to talk about cozy mysteries and knitting-themed adventures. We’ve had two meetings so far, with the third already on the calendar.
Our Sip & Stitch nights continued as well—ten of them this year—and we’re adjusting those going forward to make them a little easier on everyone’s schedule. They’ll happen less frequently and move to Wednesdays, which should help keep them fun and relaxed rather than overwhelming.
And of course, Social Stitching itself has grown into quite a group. We adjusted the shop schedule and restructured those times so we could create more space for classes while still giving everyone room to gather and make things together. With our new Saturday hours, people who work during the week can finally join in too.
Watching this community grow has been one of the most meaningful parts of running the shop.
A Trip to h+h Americas
Another milestone for me personally was attending h+h Americas, my first industry trade show.
Walking into that space felt a little surreal. Yarn companies, designers, shop owners from all over—it’s an entire world that exists behind the scenes of the yarn shop experience.
And yes, that’s where I met James Watts, whose sweater I’m currently wearing while writing this. Full circle moments like that remind me how far this little shop has come.
The People Who Make This Place Work
A shop like this doesn’t run on yarn alone (although fiber is good for us). It runs on people.
This year we welcomed two new instructors, Stephanie and Crow, both incredible knitters and crocheters and wonderful teachers.
Suzanne also joined the shop team two days a week after retiring from her own career as a professor. She’s cheerful, thoughtful, and a fantastic instructor, and she’s quickly become a beloved part of the shop.
And of course, a huge thank-you goes to Melissa, who built our brand new website. Moving everything over to a new system was no small task, but the result is something we absolutely love. The shop online finally feels like the shop in person.
Life Happening Alongside the Shop
Running a business doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and this year life outside the shop had its share of ups and downs.
Our family lost our cat Eldin, who was only eight years old. That was a hard one. Pets have a way of quietly weaving themselves into the fabric of everyday life, and when they’re gone, you really feel the space they leave behind.
We also welcomed Tarja, our new dog, who has already made herself quite at home.
On the practical side of life, my husband went through a stretch of job uncertainty after being DOGE’d and later rehired in his previous position. Ultimately he decided the instability wasn’t worth it, and we both felt a lot better once that situation settled down.
Through all of it, I’ve had an incredible support system—family, friends, and the community around this shop. That makes a bigger difference than people probably realize.
The Realities of Running a Yarn Shop
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing.
This year brought tariffs and rising costs, which have been pushing prices up on yarn and tools across the industry. At the same time, money is getting tighter for a lot of people—including us. Rent goes up, utilities go up, inventory costs go up… the usual small business juggling act.
But here’s the thing: despite all of that, we kept growing.
We kept bringing in new yarn, launching new programs, hosting events, and building community.
And honestly, that says a lot about the people who keep showing up for this little shop.
A Calmer Michelle
One personal note for this year: I’m probably the calmest, happiest, least overwhelmed version of myself that I’ve been in a long time.
Part of that comes from continuing my business coaching program, where I’m learning alongside other independent retailers—including some amazing yarn shop owners from around the country. We share ideas, solve problems together, and bring those lessons back to our own communities.
Part of it also comes from systems, delegation, and simply learning what matters most.
Running a small business will always involve chaos. But it turns out you can build something meaningful inside that chaos.
Looking Toward Year Five
So here we are: four years in.
We’ve built subscriptions.
We’ve hosted lock-ins, book clubs, and stitch nights.
We’ve shipped boxes of yarn across the country.
We’ve welcomed new teachers and team members.
We’ve weathered challenges and kept moving forward.
And now we’re heading into Year Five, which is where things really start to get interesting.
We’re continuing to grow our programs, expand the community, and bring new ideas to this little corner of Adrian.
None of this happens without the people who walk through the door, join us online, show up for events, or choose to buy their yarn here instead of somewhere else.
So truly—thank you.
Your support, enthusiasm, and creativity are what make Tink & The Frog what it is.
Here’s to Year Five.
And as always…
Craft Joy! 🐸🧶
