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
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Needlecraft Magazine November 1923 US $13.00 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 17:10:25 PDT Add to watch list |
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Handbook of Wool Knitting and Crochet (Illustrated Edit US $15.93 End Date: Monday May-21-2012 12:57:35 PDT Add to watch list |
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Crocheted Collars 1986 ASN 1047 US $2.00 End Date: Tuesday May-22-2012 8:47:02 PDT Add to watch list |
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Crocheted Hats for the Beginner- Leisure Arts- Crochet US $3.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday May-24-2012 13:36:30 PDT Add to watch list |
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FAB Antique Linen Hand Made Lace Centerpiece Tablecloth Doily Topper PRISTINE US $48.99 End Date: Sunday May-27-2012 15:35:30 PDT Add to watch list |
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AMAZING Antique Linen Hand Made Lace Centerpiece Doily Table Topper GORGEOUS US $44.99 End Date: Sunday May-27-2012 15:53:53 PDT Add to watch list |
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Old-Time Crochet Patterns & Design, Spring 1981 US $12.95 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 6:32:14 PDT Add to watch list |
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Leach's 2D #32 c.1915 Vintage Crochet Lace Tea Linens US $13.95 End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 21:13:54 PDT Add to watch list |
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Barbara Jefferis - Three of a Kind US $24.65 End Date: Friday Jun-01-2012 17:49:47 PDT Add to watch list |
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Knitting Success DVD Knit Fast + Vintage Patterns yarn US $12.97 End Date: Saturday Jun-02-2012 5:35:58 PDT Add to watch list |
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Dog Sweater Crochet Patterns for Small to Med Size Dogs US $11.00 End Date: Saturday Jun-02-2012 18:02:26 PDT Add to watch list |
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DOILIES TO CROCHET FOR LITTLE HATS. PATTERNS. US $10.85 End Date: Saturday Jun-02-2012 18:36:24 PDT Add to watch list |
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SHONEN JUMP - lot of 8 issues from 2006 & 2007 - 1 with card US $9.99 End Date: Monday Jun-04-2012 5:47:28 PDT Add to watch list |
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FANCY Antique Linen Lace Centerpiece Tablecloth Topper US $69.88 End Date: Monday Jun-04-2012 21:07:21 PDT Add to watch list |
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Mary Card c.1920 Vintge Australian Filet Crochet Design US $19.95 End Date: Monday Jun-04-2012 22:24:12 PDT Add to watch list |
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Mary Card's Crochet Book Filet, Venetian & Other Styles Of Patterns Illustrated US $9.99 End Date: Tuesday Jun-05-2012 9:41:35 PDT Add to watch list |
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Mary Card #1 c.1920 Venetian & Filet Crochet Lace REPRO US $17.95 End Date: Friday Jun-08-2012 15:56:24 PDT Add to watch list |
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Woman's Home Companion February 1951 US $25.00 End Date: Saturday Jun-09-2012 12:01:31 PDT Add to watch list |
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Paper Crafts with Ann Estelle & Friends Doll Cardmaking US $9.99 End Date: Thursday Jun-14-2012 11:08:34 PDT Add to watch list |
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Leach's 2D #13 c.1915 Elegant Crochet Lace for the Home US $13.95 End Date: Thursday Jun-14-2012 21:49:03 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.