Nest Pattern

DC Nest Pattern
c2008 Sandra Petit,
http://www.crochetcabana.com

IMPORTANT: If you are making these for real animals, note that some places will NOT take the dc nests, so check before sending. If you are making them for a different purpose, they should certainly hold a stuffed animal or other small items.

Materials: J hook or size needed to get proper stiffness ; couple ounces smooth acrylic yarn for working 2 or more strands

I suggest using the greatest number of strands you can comfortably manage with the smallest hook you can use with that number of strands.

Note about materials: you can use 2 or more strands of one color, or multiple colors. Those pictured use one strand white and one strand pink or green. You could also use a bulky or super bulky yarn - whatever gives you a tight weave. I made some with one strand worsted and one strand chunky.

Instructions:
Holding two (or more) strands together, make a ring - I use the adjustable ring so I can close it up tight

Note: I use ch 2 for my turning chain. Feel free to use ch 3 if you find that works better for you.

Note: The sides of your nest MUST stand up on their own and nests must have no holes. This is very important. Make sure you use either enough strands or a small enough hook to get a very tight stitch.

Round 1: holding two strands together, ch 2, work 11 dc in ring, join with a sl st to top chain of first ch-2 (12 dc)

Round 2: ch 2 (do not turn), work 1 dc in same stitch, work 2 dc in each dc around, join with a sl st to top chain of first ch-2 (24 dc)

Round 3: ch 2 (do not turn), work 2 dc in next stitch, *1 dc in next stitch, 2 dc in next stitch, rep from * around, join with a sl st to top chain of first ch-2 (36 dc)

Note: Measure your bottom. If you want a wider bottom, work another increase round here which would be 2 dc in every third stitch. In other words (dc, dc, 2 dc). Your bottom should be anywhere from 3" to 6".

Round 4: ch 2 (do not turn), work 1 dc in every stitch around, join with a sl st to top chain of first ch-2

Rounds 5 - 6: repeat round 4 for a 2" side.

Note: For a 3" side, work 2 additional rounds.

Finish off and weave in ends. If you worked with double strand, I weave in each strand individually, not as a group, going in one direction and then another, to make sure it stays put.

If you would like to work nests in single crochet, you can find a pattern at Bev's Country Cottage http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/nest.html.
All the centers can use the single crochet ones as long as they are tightly woven with no holes.

If your nest doesn't stand up as you think it should, you can turn it over, add more rounds and make it a hat for the homeless. There is always a need for those as well.