When did potholders come alive? Were they always here? Did the cave people use them over their fires? Probably not, tho surely they used - SOMETHING to position their 'pots' on and off hot fires? We may never know. Written history comes a bit after those days, so - lets look into "written history".
According to AI (yet again), what their research shows:
Potholders evolved from essential, handmade, or repurposed fabric scraps used in the early 1800s to protect hands from hot cookware, often featuring embroidery or abolitionist slogans by the mid-19th century. In the 1930s, commercial looms became popular for crafting woven loopers from factory waste, turning them into a common home craft and later a children's toy.
They go on to say...
- Early Origins (1800s): Early, rare examples were often crocheted or embroidered, sometimes used as display items in parlors rather than solely for the kitchen.
- Abolitionist Connections: Mid-1800s, specifically around the Civil War era, some potholders featured embroidered slogans like "Any holder but a Slave Holder," acting as political statements.
- The 1930s Loom Boom: During the Great Depression, commercial, small square, pegged, metal looms were patented to repurpose waste "loopers" from sock factories, allowing housewives to create durable, heat-resistant pot holders.
- Evolution of Materials: While early items were cotton, wool, or scrap fabric, the late 20th century saw the introduction of more synthetic materials, though cotton remains popular.
- Modern Day: Today, potholder weaving is a popular hobby, and these items are often considered a form of folk art, with handmade, quilted, or crocheted versions still highly valued.
Fibers from plants and animal fur were being woven into material for clothing and shelter as early as the New Stone Age.
OK...the cave people MAY have made the 'basic potholder' a few years earlier...
She goes on to say that...
...by the mid-1800s in the anti-slavery bazaars of Boston and during the abolitionist movement, the first home-made potholders (as we know them) began to be crafted.
Interesting.
According to KIMBERlY'S research, woven potholders were some of the first potholders officially on record, using odd pieces of old socks and hosiery. LOOMS were made of varying materials and childen enjoyed this basic WEAVING. Do you recall making potholders on those cute little looms? I do! Was such fun! But I digress...
If you care to contact KIMBERLY, here is her email: kbdomick@yahoo.com.
Crispina French has an amazing twist on the potholder loom; his is why I originally used this domain "name", so I could spread out a tad to ideas that sort of - linked to potholders. This certainly does.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUEk4Oml9Q8
Though a short video, her idea opens a large area from which a "potholder loom" matures and serves OTHER purposes. Depending on how much your heart cares about our planet...depending on how crazy you are about weaving...this just might be an avenue to pursue.
But I DO...digress - yet again; you noticed - did you?!
LOOMS! Here are sites where you can obtain potholder looms:
Lastly - even looms to create MUG RUGS.
These potholder looms are excelllent childrens projects, not just for - possibly more mature humans?? There might be a sleeping ADULT WEAVER hiding patiently in one of the children that use these looms: who knows how that might guide their future journeys.
So - if weaviing is your preferrence, or you want to digress a bit from your sewing machine - then woven potholders may be your next project. Check out the above links...maybe surf some more to find your perfect project...your PERFECT POTHOLDER just waiting patiently to be created.
The magic of making!
danielle
