Needlecraft Magazine
Publication Date: October 1918
Original Cover Price: 10 cents
Published by: The Needlecraft Publishing Company
Place of Publication: Augusta, Maine and New York, NY.
Number of Pages in this Issue: 28, counting the covers

About the Cover Art: This issue has an unusual and lovely round tablecloth on the cover. It is decorated with embroidered butterflies, and there is a rich crocheted lace edging all the way around it. Later in the magazine you will find embroidery instructions for this piece, with a close-up picture showing the details on one butterfly, as well as instructions for crocheting the border.

Craft Techniques You Will Find in this Issue: Crochet, Knitting, Embroidery

This publication generally had needlework patterns, projects, techniques, tips, lessons, and inspiration, plus fashion illustrations showing the latest trends of the day. There was usually also a cooking section with recipes for good old-fashioned home cooking.

Some of the contents you will find in this issue:

For Knitters: In this issue is an amazing “Nine-Patch” block for a knit bedspread, with a matching lace border.

For Crocheters: There are so many amazing projects for crochet lovers in this issue! This issue is extremely special because it has TWO matching patterns by Mary Card! Mary, in my opinion, was the greatest crochet designer of all time. She was an Australian designer with a long and distinguished career- her accomplishments included the publication of books both in Australia and the USA. Her work is outstanding and is still highly collected and sought after by needlework enthusiasts today. (Finished pieces designed by Mary typically go for higher prices than crochet linens usually do on ebay.) Mary’s Patterns in this issue are called “Linen-Crochet Runner and Doily”. These make a gorgeous set, and they are truly unusual. Mary was actually the originator of the technique that is taught in this article- quoting her words: “the fabric and the lace are so combined that they form one design, neither being a mere accessory of the other”. It is hard to describe this technique but the pictures will give you a visual image of the projects. If you are looking for a quick and easy project, this is NOT it! But if you are looking for a challenging project with an heirloom quality result, this is a good one to consider. I don’t think there’s any possible way you could get bored halfway through working this!

There are other great crochet patterns too! Vintage Hot Dish Mats; a lace border with a turned corner that you can use on just about anything- tablecloths, table linens, pillows, sheets, pillowcases, garments, etc; a Rebekah pillow in filet crochet; yokes for camisoles and gowns (one is in the spiderweb pattern and one is filet crochet plus lacets); there is also an edging to match the spiderweb pattern; plus “Some pretty trimmings”, a collection of lovely lace edgings. Another extra-special crochet project in this issue is a bedspread for child’s bed in filet crochet. This issue contains 3 blocks of the bedspread- they are all animal blocks. (The pattern was begun in the September issue of needlcraft.)

Embroidery: A Group of Attractive Centerpieces; not to mention the outstanding design on the cover as described above.

For Dressmakers: There are 4 different pages in this issue with black and white fashion illustrations showing the styles of the day- these are fantastic inspiration if you like designing & sewing new versions of old clothing. There is also a page called “Essentials of Milady’s Wardrobe” with pictures of various items such as camisole and collar & cuffs set. The article is interesting to read and gives insight into the fashions of the time.

Other interesting information: This issue was published during World War I, and much of the writing reflects the patriotic spirit that was so prevalent at the time.

Ads & Advertising You Will Find in this Issue: There is a full page ad for United States Treasury Department Liberty Bonds; There is also a partial page ad for Mary Card’s Giant Crochet Chart No. 1, which was called “Soldier Boy and Flag’s Appeal”. (I sure wish I could travel back in time long enough to buy one of these- at the time it was only 25 cents!) The inside front cover is an ad for Cream of Wheat with art by Edward V Brewer. The back cover is a color ad for Victrola Victor Supremacy. There are bunches of partial page ads for a variety of other products, which are lots of fun to read through.

More Pictures From the October 1918 Issue of Needlecraft Magazine:

• Click here to find our main directory of vintage crochet patterns, projects, ideas, books, magazines, and pictures.
• Click here if you want free instructions for learning your crochet stitches.
• Click here to learn more about various crochet techniques.
• Click here to find spectacular vintage crochet patterns by Mary Card.
• Click here to check out more craft project ideas.

By Amy Solovay.

About the Author — Amy Solovay is a freelance writer with a background in textile design. She learned to crochet as a small child. After earning two degrees, one of which is in textile design, she launched a career in the textile industry. She has worked as a textile print colorist, knit designer and director of design for various Los Angeles based fabric manufacturers. Later she transitioned to writing about crochet, knitting, crafts and other topics for major media outlets. She enjoys designing crochet and other craft patterns, and she invites you to make use of them.

This page was last updated on 7-7-2021.