Volunteers Needed!

For blind and sight-impaired potholder weavers

The Thanksgiving Potholder Project is a grassroots effort that connects weavers from across the country with families picking up their Thanksgiving food from local pantries. Every year, the project grows—and this year, so has the need for more inclusive support.

Typically, posts about the project begin in the Fall, but I’ve recently heard from two groups of blind and sight-impaired crafters who are eager to participate, and want to begin weaving soon. They’re skilled with their hands and may already be familiar with potholder looms—but they need a little help reading patterns.

They’re looking for a few generous weavers who can assist by:

• Writing clear, step-by-step directions for potholder patterns (graphs and charts don’t work)
• Describing color placement—both warp and weave—in a consistent, easy-to-follow format
• Possibly reading patterns aloud over the phone or Zoom, especially for complex designs

Scroll beyond the flyer image for an example of the kind of details they are looking for.

What’s Needed in a Written Pattern

Here’s an example of the kind of clear, accessible instructions that would be helpful:

Loom Size: Traditional 18-peg potholder loom
Tools:

• 36 loops (please specify how many of each color and which ones will be warp vs weave)
• Weaving hook
• Crochet hook (size J or your preference)
• Medium binder clips (optional—for help when removing from the loom)

Warp Setup (Top to Bottom):
A brief explanation of “warp” is helpful here—it refers to setting up the vertical strands before weaving begins by stretching each loop across opposite-facing pegs.

• Peg 1: Orange
• Peg 2: Red
• Peg 3: Orange
• Repeat across the loom

Weaving Instructions (Working from the bottom left corner):

• Row 1 (Orange): Weave over-under across – Start under the first loop (feels like two strands of thread), then over the second loop ( it feels like two more strands), then under the third loop, and so on until the row is complete.
• Row 2 (Red): Reverse the weaving by starting over the first loop, then under the second, over the third, and so on
• Repeat Rows 1 and 2

If the pattern includes changes—such as a new color sequence or a different weaving technique (e.g., a split loop)—please describe those rows one at a time in plain language.

Want to Help?

We’re hoping to build a small volunteer team for this effort. Even a single phone call or one clearly written pattern will make a meaningful difference.

If you’d like to volunteer—or if you’ve already written out a pattern that’s clear and accessible—please contact:

Shelley Schuett at shellyschuett@telus.net

THANK YOU, all for your continued generosity, kindness, and care. Together, thousands of lives have already been touched by your creativity and contributions. With your continued support, we aim to reach at least 2,000 more in 2025.

More frequent blog posts will resume in the Fall. In the meantime, potholders can be mailed any time to: Beth Myers, (THXGPP) 2007 Clipper Park Rd. #216, Baltimore, MD 21211.

Namaste