Making Nests for Wildlife in care

Not all of our carers use these nests but many do find them useful. 

Please find below the instructions for crocheting nests and knitting nests.

All knitted/crocheted nests can be forwarded to:

WIRES

PO Box 7276

WARRINGAH MALL NSW 2100

Please include your email address when you send nests to us so that we can thank you, send photo's of nests in use and emails when we have other knitting projects that you may be able to help with.

We then distribute to the local areas where there are carers needing them.

For knitted pouches and pouch liners we do have a requirement that only breathable natural materials can be used with wildlife, that means 100% wool or 100% cotton. For the wildlife nests they are open not enclosed and therefore while our preference is for natural materials we can accept acrylic wool nests as well.

Crocheted Bird Nest-link to download pdf

Size H or 5mm crochet hook

Starting ring: crochet 3 chains using 2 or 3 threads of pure wool or cotton yarn held together, slip stitch last chain to first chain to make a ring.

Round 1: Chain 2 ( this counts as your first stitch), work between 10-15 single crochets into the ring ( depending on the thickness of the yarn). Slip stitch the last single crochet to the top stitch in the chain 2 that started this round.

Round 2: Chain 2. Single crochet into the next two stitches, then do 2 single crochets into the next stitch, single crochet into the next two stitches, then 2 single crochets in the next stitch. Repeat this around the circle. Slip stitch your last single crochet into the top of the chain 2 that started this round.

Round 3, 4, 5, 6, and on: Repeat round 2 until your circle is at least 7cm to 15cm, for each following round crochet ONE single crochet into each stitch. You will see the sides begin to form. Crochet until the sides are about 5-7cm high. Bind off and weave in the loose ends.

Knitted Bird Nest

Directions:

On size 5 dpn’s cast on 54 stitches using 2 or 3 strands of yarn so the nests are tightly knit and will stand up in a bowl shape on their own (divide sts up into 18 sts/needle). Work in knit (stockingette is automatic on dpn’s) stitch for approximately 7 cm. Begin decreasing for the crown as follows:

Next row: *K 7, k 2 tog* repeat to end

Next row: *K 6, k 2 tog* repeat to end

Next row: *K 5, k 2 tog* repeat to end

Nest row: *K 4, k 2 tog* repeat to end

Next row: *K 3, k 2 tog* repeat to end

Next row: *K 2, k 2 tog* repeat to end

Next row: *K 1, k 2 tog* repeat to end

Clip off yarn leaving a tail of about 15 cm.

Using yarn needle, slide yarn needle under all stitches on needles, and draw tight to close up the end. Knot 

You can make your nest with a bottom as small as 7 cm big, up to maybe 15 cm big.

The sides should be about 5 – 7cm high. Bind off and weave in loose ends.

Make sure the nest can stand up in a bowl shape on its own.

To access 24/7 rescue advice and assistance for sick, injured and orphaned native animals call 1300 094 737, or fill in the online rescue form.