Joy

Mary Card, unknown photographer, about 1917, courtesy Barbara Ballantyne

... as a result of the tremendous crop of correspondence the 'Journal' has brought me, I have come into touch with women in very lonely places, where crochet has been a real joy. Many of them work beautifully, and are quite eager to get fresh patterns ...

... though this heavy correspondence has added greatly to my work, it has made me a very happy woman, proving as in no other possible way, that I have been working on right lines ...

Mary Card, 1917

Victorian-born Mary Card is best remembered for her crochet designs, widely published between 1909 and the 1930s. She spent her early life as a writer and teacher until growing deafness forced a change of career.

Turning to designing crochet, she submitted her patterns first to America's Ladies Home Journal and later to Australian women's journals. Through these and other publications, she reached a global audience, enjoying great popularity. Her patterns varied considerably: from ambitious peacock bedspreads to simpler fruit-themed doyleys, from the Statue of Liberty to gum leaf patterns. They connected her to women in distant places and she spoke about how rewarding it was to have such an impact on women's lives.

Visit the Eternity gallery to view a pillow sham made to one of Mary Card's patterns and discover the joy she took in her work. During your visit take the opportunity to record your own story of joy.