From Amy Putansu:

Announcing an online action of handwoven blankets to benefit Hurricane Helene relief efforts in western North Carolina. Bidding opened on January 13 and will end on Sunday night. Help us raise funds and get a beautiful one-of-a-kind textile!

 Special thanks to WARP (Weave a Real Peace) for hosting. Scroll down to find 10 Haywood Overshot Blankets

This project was conceived in the days following Hurricane Helene and its effects on western North Carolina, where we live. Like many people, I was overcome by a sense of urgency to be of use to those who suffered great losses. During those early days I listened to multiple updates daily from city and town officials in the region hardest hit. One city mayor mentioned winter temperatures to come and displaced folks in need. "Blankets" was one of the items he mentioned.

At the same time, I was faced with needing to change the syllabus for my weaving students because our college (Haywood Community College) was closed for 2.5 weeks. As a weaving studio, how could we contribute our special skills to the relief effort while also serving college course learning objectives?

 Meanwhile, a wool mill in Maine called Jaggerspun has produced exceptional wool yarns for decades. Jaggerspun announced they would be permanently closing in early 2025, and they began selling the remaining stock at discounted prices. It occurred to me to ask Jaggerspun for a donation of wool yarns and perhaps we could become a small production studio for the remainder of the semester with the 129 pounds of wool they gave us. My initial idea was to give the handwoven blankets directly to those folks in need.

I used the opportunity to introduce a new (to the students) weave structure: an overshot-patterned double weave, so the students would still be learning new material while also making a contribution. The project has been ambitious and challenging, but I believe the activity soothed the students because everyone in the region has suffered on some level. The result is double-thickness washable-wool blankets and throws with ornate patterning and rich color.

 Some blankets may have small disruptions to the pattern, but this does not detract from their beauty or certainly their luxurious weighted warmth. Pattern disruptions in traditional overshot textiles are somewhat common and can be seen in many historical coverlets.

-Amy Putansu