Crocheted Bird Nests

Last year, just before I retired, a friend showed me a bird nest she was knitting for a local bird rescue organization. I thought it was cool, and a good way to have something to do during retirement. But, knitting isn't my thing -- I like to crochet. So, I went hunting around for a crocheted bird nest pattern, but couldn't find any that appealed to me. I still wanted to help the bird rescue so I decided to create my own pattern. And, as a way to encourage others to help their local bird rescue organizations, I'm sharing the pattern

Hook size: G

Yarn: 60 g of medium weight 4-ply yarn. Cotton (Lily Sugar ‘n Cream, Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton, Bernat Handicrafter Cotton, etc.) works best, but any yarn can be used. You may have to use two strands if the yarn is lightweight.

Notes:

·      Make sure your yarn is machine washable -- baby birds are messy.

·      Use a size G hook or one that allows for the correct bottom (5-6 inches) and side (3-4 inches) measurements.

·      This is a time when crocheting tightly is encouraged since you do not want any gaps that might allow a bird to hurt itself.

·      The ch 1 at the beginning of each round does not count as a stitch.

·      This project is a good way to use up odds and ends of leftover yarn. The birds don’t care what or how many colors you use.

 

Bottom:

Rnd 1: Ch 2; 6 hdc in first ch; slip stitch to first hdc. (6 st)

Rnd 2: Ch 1; 2 hdc in same stitch as slip stitch; *2 hdc in each stitch*; slip stitch to first hdc. (12 st)

Rnd 3: Repeat Rnd 2. (24 st)

Rnd 4: Ch 1; 2 hdc in same stitch as slip stitch; *1 hdc in next stitch, 2 hdc in next st*; 1 hdc in last stitch; slip stitch to first hdc. (36 st)

Rnd 5: Ch 1; 2 hdc in same stitch as slip stitch; *1 hdc in next 2 stitches, 2 hdc in next st*; 2 hdc in last 2 stitches; slip stitch to first hdc. (48 st)

Rnd 6: Ch 1; 2 hdc in same stitch as slip stitch; *1 hdc in next 5 stitches, 2 hdc in next st*; 1 hdc in last 5 stitches; slip stitch to first hdc. (56 st)

Rnd 7: Ch 1; 2 hdc in same stitch as slip stitch; *1 hdc in next 13 stitches, 2 hdc in next st*; 1 hdc in last 13 stitches; slip stitch to first hdc. (60 st)

Rnd 8: Ch 1; 2 hdc in same stitch as slip stitch; *1 hdc in next 19 stitches, 2 hdc in next st*; 1 hdc in last 19 stitches; slip stitch to first hdc. (63 st)

Rnd 9: Ch 1; 2 hdc in same stitch as slip stitch; *1 hdc in next 20 stitches, 2 hdc in next st*; 1 hdc in last 20 stitches; slip stitch to first hdc. (66 st) (bottom should measure 5-6 inches in diameter)

Side:

Rnd 10-21: Ch 1; 1 hdc in same stitch as slip stitch; *1 hdc in each stitch*; sl st to first hdc. (66 st) (side should measure 3-4 inches tall)

Finishing:

Weave in all ends.
 

 

I hope you enjoy making these nests and donate them to a bird rescue organization. You are also welcome to sell any items that you’ve made from this pattern. Please realize, though, that you may not use my photos to sell finished items under any circumstances.

Download a copy of the Crocheted Bird Nest pattern. 

©2016 Cathy Anderson (cathys.cornucopiea@gmail.com)