I like to make handmade gifts, but sometimes those gifts call for a strange item that calls for some pattern-writing. Here’s my instructions for how to crochet a nest. I use this as a companion to this crocheted chicken pincushion pattern.
This pattern can be crocheted as is, using the cotton yarn recommended, or you can use a chunky yarn like Bernat Blanket to get a larger nest. Whatever yarn you use, just make sure to change your hook size.
How to Crochet a Nest
What you need:
- I Love This Cotton! Yarn – Monkey Brown (twist)
- G hook – 4.25mm
- small bit of poly-fil
Instructions:
This pattern is worked in the round. All of the bulleted numbers indicate the round that is being worked on.
- 6sc in a MR (6)
- inc around (12)
- sc, inc around (18)
- 2sc, inc around (24)
- 3sc, inc around (30)
- 4sc, inc around (36)
- 5sc, inc around (42)
- sc around (42)
- sc around (42)
- sc around (42)
- BLO, sc around (42)
- 4sc, dec around (36)
- 3sc, dec around (30)
- 2sc, dec around (24) – At this point, stuff the nest, focusing most on stuffing the outside so as to form a “donut” shape. Add a little poly-fil to the center as well, but not a lot.
- sc, dec around (18)
- dec around (12)
Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing.
Using a needle with a large eye, cinch the last 6 sts together, like a drawstring bag. Make a tight knot to secure. Do not cut tail.
Poke needle through the bottom of the nest up through the top, and back down. Do this a few times to create a “bucket” in the bottom of the nest for the chicken to nestle into.
Once that is secure, you can begin sewing the chicken into the nest. Just a few stitches will do, 2 or 3, then make another tight knot to secure. Bury the yarn tail, cutting it down if necessary.
How to Bury a Yarn Tail
If you’ve been crocheting very long, you probably already do this. But once your yarn tail is secure and the closure won’t open easily, you could poke the needle into the ball, pushing it out the other side. If the yarn is thick like the Bernat Blanket yarn I use for my plushies, you can actually weave it around some of the stitches and you won’t see it. But if that’s not an option, you can just poke it out the back and cut. At this point I like to use a chopstick to poke that end back into the stuffing.