Mary Card’s Crochet Patterns
Mary Card was a prolific designer of crochet patterns and pattern books. Her crochet pattern designs were often intricate and exquisitely detailed. Her work is a source of inspiration for crochet enthusiasts around the world.
She became a contributor to Needlecraft Magazine starting with the Feb. 1918 issue. Quoting from the Editor’s page of the February 1918 issue of Needlecraft Magazine,
“Needlecraft is proud of this new contributor, as Needlecraft’s million and more readers are sure to be so soon as they have learned to know and appreciate her work…Although a comparative stranger to crochet-workers in this country, Miss Card has long enjoyed a reputation as the most expert designer her native land- Australia- has ever known. More, her life, her plans, her methods are positively inspiring…Later, perhaps next month, we hope to tell you something of her interesting story, as brought out by an interviewer from an Australian publication; but the temptation to let her talk a little to you herself, exactly as she would do if she were face to face with her big audience, is too strong to be resisted”…The rest of the article goes on to tell, in Mary Card’s own words, how she got started in her needlework design career. She overcame tremendous adversity in the process. Her story is inspiring, and even more so when you see her incredible crochet designs. After that glorious introduction, her designs continued to appear in Needlecraft magazine into the 1930's. Following that, her career took her to England, where she designed for Weldon's. Mary Card still has a considerable following. There is high demand among collectors for finished pieces that were made from her patterns, and also for the patterns themselves. Mary made a lasting contribution to the needle arts, and her designs continue to impress and inspire needlework enthusiasts to this day.
Mary Card's Crochet Patterns Can be Found in the Following Publications:
- Mary Card's Crochet Book No. 1
- Mary Card's Crochet Book No. 2: New designs and arrangements for fancy-workers
- Mary Card Crochet Book No. 3: The Complete Art of Making Irish Crochet, Both Old and Modern, Without A Teacher
- New Crochet For Australasian Fancy Workers, Published by Everylady's Journal
- February 1918 Needlecraft Magazine
- August 1919 Needlecraft Magazine
- May 1921 Needlecraft Magazine
- January 1930 Needlecraft Magazine
- December 1931 Needlecraft Magazine
- October 1933 Needlecraft / the Home Arts Magazine
- August 1935 Needlecraft Magazine
Click Here To See Mary Card Items on Ebay
 |
MARY CARD Figural Filet Lace Runner Statue of Liberty US $122.99 End Date: Friday Jul-30-2010 6:45:34 PDT Add to watch list |
 |
Needlecraft magazine - March 1931 US $13.47 End Date: Friday Jul-30-2010 7:36:12 PDT Add to watch list |
 |
Needlecraft magazine - November 1931 US $13.47 End Date: Friday Jul-30-2010 7:36:26 PDT Add to watch list |
 |
Mary Card's Crochet #1 c. 1920 Venetian & Filet Crochet US $13.82 End Date: Monday Aug-02-2010 19:52:21 PDT Add to watch list |
 |
Needlecraft Magazine April 1920, by Needlecraft Pub Co US $12.29 End Date: Sunday Aug-08-2010 19:06:30 PDT Add to watch list |
 |
Leach's 2D #32 c.1915 Vintage Crochet Lace Tea Linens US $9.97 End Date: Monday Aug-09-2010 21:13:54 PDT Add to watch list |
 |
RARE MUSEUM QLTY MARY CARD "BUTTERFLY&GRAPEVINE" CLOTH US $478.00 End Date: Wednesday Aug-11-2010 16:42:18 PDT Add to watch list |
 |
Threads and Yarns, Library of Country Living, Weekly Ti US $10.70 End Date: Wednesday Aug-11-2010 19:29:41 PDT Add to watch list |
 |
1987 Collar-Me Beautiful Sculpture Crochet Patterns US $3.00 End Date: Thursday Aug-12-2010 12:55:45 PDT Add to watch list |
 |
MARY CARD'S RAREST ~MUSEUM QUALITY "AQUARIUM" CLOTH US $728.00 End Date: Friday Aug-13-2010 12:27:07 PDT Add to watch list |
 |
8 CHILDREN'S VESTS Knitting & Crochet Patterns Szs 4-14 US $4.95 End Date: Friday Aug-13-2010 13:03:10 PDT Add to watch list |
 |
Mary Card c.1920 Vintge Australian Filet Crochet Design US $14.59 End Date: Saturday Aug-14-2010 22:24:12 PDT Add to watch list |
 |
Crafts 'n Things Magazine V-15 # 3 January 1990 US $2.99 End Date: Saturday Aug-14-2010 22:58:46 PDT Add to watch list |
 |
Mary Card's Crochet #1 c. 1920 Venetian & Filet Crochet US $13.82 End Date: Sunday Aug-15-2010 22:03:03 PDT Add to watch list |
 |
Leach's 2D #13 c.1915 Elegant Crochet Lace for the Home US $9.97 End Date: Sunday Aug-15-2010 22:03:24 PDT Add to watch list |
 |
Mary Card c.1920 Vintge Australian Filet Crochet Design US $18.95 End Date: Wednesday Aug-18-2010 3:43:12 PDT Add to watch list |
 |
Mary Card's Crochet #1 c. 1920 Venetian & Filet Crochet US $17.95 End Date: Wednesday Aug-18-2010 4:43:26 PDT Add to watch list |
 |
Mary Card #1 c.1920 Venetian & Filet Crochet Lace REPRO US $13.05 End Date: Wednesday Aug-18-2010 15:56:24 PDT Add to watch list |
 |
Mary Card's Crochet #1 c. 1920 Venetian & Filet Crochet US $13.82 End Date: Thursday Aug-19-2010 0:17:52 PDT Add to watch list |
 |
Mary Card c.1920 Vintge Australian Filet Crochet Design US $14.59 End Date: Thursday Aug-19-2010 3:17:04 PDT Add to watch list |
I am Mary Card’s newest fan. I am researching my family history have just discovered that she was my great-great-great aunt. I am so thrilled! My mother’s maiden name was also Mary Card, yet she had never been told about her namesake. Mum and I are both keen knitters but neither of us crochets. Perhaps this will change as we tap into a new inspiration from our family tree. Thank you for the information on your site.
Hi Sarah, Welcome!
Nice to “meet” you. Thanks for the comment. I am glad you dropped by, and glad you are finding the information helpful. I suppose you can tell that I am a huge fan of your great-great-great aunt’s work. I am thrilled for you too, that you made such a fantastic discovery. I’d love to see your knitting. 
It would be great if you learn to crochet too.
In this bibliography of her work should also appear:
Mary Card’s Crochet Book – Number 3: The Complete Art of Making Irish Crochet, Both Old and Modern, Without a Teacher~Cover title: Mary Card’s Irish Crochet Book. (Melbourne: T. Shaw Fitchett for ‘Everylady’s Journal’: no date) Cover price 2/6. Pictorial wrappers (that is, paper covers) plus pp. 80 (181 x 250 mm). Illustrated
Thanks Cathy, I just added it.