As we close in on the halfway mark of our goal—767 potholders in, 733 to go—this Thanksgiving season feels like the perfect time for a heartfelt reflection on the incredible generosity of our potholder weaving community over the last four years.
This year, 1,500 families in need will receive support through this collective nationwide effort, and I’m continuously moved by the kindness and spirit of the weavers who make this possible. Since discovering the potholder weaving groups on FB during the COVID shutdown, I’ve been amazed by what this community offers—not just in terms of artistry, technique, resources, or weaving history but also in how people come together to nurture each other’s growth. It’s the purest form of support and connection, without judgment or expectation.
One of the most beautiful aspects of this community is how welcoming and inclusive it is. Take the beginner who timidly joins one of the groups, eager to learn the basics—seasoned weavers are always there, ready to share resources, suggest easy-access materials like Friendly Loom kits, and offer advice on taking those first baby steps. It’s a gentle encouragement that allows new weavers to grow at their own pace.
As they stick around, newbies soon find themselves caught up in conversations about dye lots, making custom loops from t-shirts, socks, or denim, and experimenting with materials like i-cord or continuous weave techniques. There’s no gatekeeping here—just a genuine desire to see everyone thrive, whether you’re experimenting with loom sizes, perfecting your hook technique, or learning to read and modify patterns.
What’s truly remarkable is that this support comes with no strings attached—there’s no cost of admission, no hierarchy of expertise. Just a warm, open-hearted community that welcomes every question, every idea, every attempt. And yet, the sense of connection, belonging, and shared growth is an invaluable return on that investment of kindness.
It’s no surprise that this same spirit of generosity has inspired so many weavers to step up and help those in need. Since 2020, individual weavers have been contributing to the Thanksgiving Potholder Project as we make, collect, and distribute potholders to families in need at Thanksgiving. Others began local weaving and giving programs donating potholders to support community food pantries, pet shelters, disaster relief efforts, and more at all times of the year. In 2024, the wider community has once again come together for the Thanksgiving Potholder Project, showing their dedication to helping families in need.
So far in 2024, we’ve received 767 potholders from weavers across 20 locations: Phoenix, AZ; Melbourne, FL; Rockford, and Loves Park, IL; Fishers and Mackey, IN; Lawrence, KS; Jamaica Plain, MA; Baltimore and Greenbelt, MD; Omaha, NE; Fairport, NY; Manasquan, NJ; Mogadore and Sylvania, OH; Gibsonia, PA; Deer Lodge, TN; Burke, VA; Bluefield, and West Hamlin, WV. And we know there are more on the way!
As I reflect on all of this, I’m filled with immense gratitude for this community of makers. Their kindness is woven into every potholder, and their impact goes far beyond the potholders themselves. It’s about generosity, care, and the human connection that binds us all together.
Thank you to each and every one of you for continuing to show up, to share, and to support. Together, we’re making a difference—one potholder at a time.
