Thanksgiving Potholder Project

Twelve Potholders, Many Hands, and One Generous Gift

Last week, the Thanksgiving Potholder Project received a package of twelve beautifully hand-woven potholders from a visually-impaired weaver. Along with the potholders came a note — a simple message that carried something much larger: appreciation, connection, and gratitude for a community working together in meaningful ways. In her note, the weaver shared how much she enjoyed making the potholders. She also expressed special appreciation for the volunteers who translated weaving patterns from visual charts into text — a step that made it possible for her and others in her craft group to weave these designs independently....

Twelve Potholders, Many Hands, and One Generous Gift Last week, the Thanksgiving Potholder Project received a package of twelve beautifully hand-woven potholders from a visually-impaired weaver. Along with the potholders came a note — a simple messag…

Expanding Access, One Pattern at a Time

Supporting blind and sight-impaired potholder weavers through accessible pattern transcription. Writing out weaving patterns so they can be read aloud or used with screen readers is not flashy work. It’s careful. It’s detailed. And yes — it can be tedious. And, it matters. Each transcribed pattern expands access to creativity, independence, and generosity throughout the potholder-weaving community. This is what potholder weaver generosity looks like in action: ...

Expanding Access, One Pattern at a Time Supporting blind and sight-impaired potholder weavers through accessible pattern transcription. Writing out weaving patterns so they can be read aloud or used with screen readers is not flashy work…

Introducing Goodwill Weaving

Where potholder loom weavers connect around philanthropy and community care Goodwill Weaving is a non-commercial Facebook-based space for potholder loom weavers. It’s a place to offer or request contributions, share stories and resources, and learn from one another through collaboration and mutual support. The following unusually long post shares the history of Goodwill Weaving, celebrates the weaving community that makes potholder philanthropy so impactful, and concludes with an invitation to join the Goodwill Weaving potholder philanthropy community on…...

Introducing Goodwill Weaving Where potholder loom weavers connect around philanthropy and community care Goodwill Weaving is a non-commercial Facebook-based space for potholder loom weavers. It’s a place to offer or request co…

A Seat at the Table: Dignity and Connections at the Franciscan Center

Yesterday’s potholder distribution at the Franciscan Center brought something into focus: dignity, community, and care show up in small gestures, conversations, and the seemingly simple act of sharing food and space. Adding the gift of a handwoven potholder, made by weavers from across the U.S., really pulls it all together - especially when it looks like a turkey! Last year, when the Thanksgiving Potholder Project (THXGPP) visited this dining room, we displayed potholders from a large table near the exit…...

A Seat at the Table: Dignity and Connections at the Franciscan Center Yesterday’s potholder distribution at the Franciscan Center brought something into focus: dignity, community, and care show up in small gestures, conversations, and the seemingly simple act of shar…

Weaving Wonders at GEDCO!

What an inspiring effort! Most of the volunteers who came together to weave potholders for Govan’s Ecumenical Development Corporation (GEDCO) had never used a potholder loom before—or tried any kind of weaving at all. Still, they aimed to create enough potholders for every neighbor registered to receive a Thanksgiving basket. The goal was 170 potholders in under a month. They surpassed it with ease....

Weaving Wonders at GEDCO! What an inspiring effort! Most of the volunteers who came together to weave potholders for Govan’s Ecumenical Development Corporation (GEDCO) had never used a potholder loom before—or tried any kin…

I’ve received several requests for copies of the label that appeared in a recent blog. I shared it—and realized that more of you may have questions about how your contributions to the Thanksgiving Potholder Project (THXGPP) are labeled. This post is packed with information, sharing a bit of the history behind THXGPP labels, including examples of other labels that contributors have enclosed with their gifts, and offers insights on messaging in your labels and on promoting your own local potholder project. ...

Behind the Label: How THXGPP Shares Your Potholder Gifts I’ve received several requests for copies of the label that appeared in a recent blog. I shared it—and realized that more of you may have questions about how your contributions to the Thanksgiving …

A perfect day—and an ideal start to this year’s Thanksgiving Potholder Project distributions! The sparkle in her eye and the smile on her face say it all: a handwoven potholder, sent by a weaver from another state, brought joy and warmth to 200 families today. Take a look at how the day unfolded. Before sunrise: The truck arrived — and so did I....

Weaving Gratitude ‘Loomed’ Large at Bel Air UMC A perfect day—and an ideal start to this year’s Thanksgiving Potholder Project distributions! The sparkle in her eye and the smile on her face say it all: a handwoven potholder, sent by a weaver fr…

The Thanksgiving Potholder Project at Manor Mill in Monkton MD Wow! What a day — or rather, three wonderful days — of weaving at Manor Mill in Monkton, Maryland! The studio was filled with looms, loops, hooks, stunning works of art, and creativity as weavers of all ages explored the art and craft of potholder weaving for a cause. Artisan weaver…...

Goodwill Weaving: The Thanksgiving Potholder Project at Manor Mill in Monkton MD Wow! What a day — or rather, three wonderful days — of weaving at Manor Mill in Monkton, Maryland! The studio was filled with looms, l…

It seemed odd that I hadn’t heard from a few of the food pantries we’ve worked with in previous years; some confirmed interest but couldn’t specify dates. Yesterday, with two potholders in hand, I stopped by one of them to check in and see if they’d like to participate again this year. It didn’t take long to understand the silence and lack of dates....

Potholder Positivity Needed Now More Than Ever It seemed odd that I hadn’t heard from a few of the food pantries we’ve worked with in previous years; some confirmed interest but couldn’t specify dates. Yesterday, with two potholders in hand, I …

Where the weavers are. Thanksgiving 2024 marked a significant milestone for the Thanksgiving Potholder Project, showcasing the incredible kindness and generosity of potholder weavers from across the nation. Together, we achieved extraordinary community-building accomplishments, demonstrating how small, individual actions have a profound impact. A Season of Growth and Giving This year’s project began with a goal to weave and collect ...

58 Weavers Across the Nation Serve 1,895 Families Where the weavers are. Thanksgiving 2024 marked a significant milestone for the Thanksgiving Potholder Project, showcasing the incredible kindness and generosity of potholder weavers from across th…

This is what 1,084 potholders look like. Hundreds are bagged, tagged, and labeled, all packed up in boxes and ready to go! And hundreds more waiting to be bagged. Thanks to the generosity of weavers in over 30 locations nationwide, the Thanksgiving Potholder Project has blossomed beyond expectations. As of now, weavers across the country have contributed a stunning 1,084 handcrafted potholders…...

Wow! From Zero to 1,084 Potholders in 49 Days! This is what 1,084 potholders look like. Hundreds are bagged, tagged, and labeled, all packed up in boxes and ready to go! And hundreds more waiting to be bagged. Thanks to the generosity of weaver…