"Edds for Mama robin bird!"

My ornaments for the 4th Annual Holiday Ornament Swap.

And here is how to make them.

First, you'll knit the nest.  Worsted weight 100% wool yarn in a nesty color.  Size 11 double point needles.  (I knit tightly and generally have to go up two needles sizes on a pattern, so you might be able to get away with 10s or 10.5s if you are a looser knitter and that is what you have on hand.) 

CO 24 stitches and divide onto three needles. 

Knit 6-8 rounds depending on if you like a deeper or more shallow nest.

(SSK, K4, K2tog) repeat around the round, you'll now have 18 sts

K one round

(SSK, K2, K2tog) repeat around the round, you'll now have 12 sts

(SSK, K2tog) repeat around the round, you'll now have 6 sts

Break yarn and thread the tail through your 6 remaining sts, pull snugly and weave in ends.

Felt your nest in the washing machine.  Throw it in some kind of bag (pillowcase, lingerie bag, zippered pillow cover) and wash on hot with some non-linty clothes and detergent.  If it hasn't felted enough with one cycle, wash it again, but check to make sure it isn't felting closed.  When felted to your liking, shape the nest to dry.

Now for the eggs.  Using 100% wool roving in the egg color of your choice, roll the roving into an egg shape keeping the roving as tightly wound as possible.  Use a felting needle to felt the egg to your density, size and shape liking.  Make as many eggs as you'd like in your nest.  For the record, according to my google search, robins lay three to four eggs, and very occasionally five, at one time.

Admire your work. (And tend to any stab wounds you incurred while needle felting. I count three that are still throbbing from last night.)

Do you know about these needles?!  I had a vague knowledge of their existence from pilfering my dad's sewing box while growing up, but became very familiar with them while reupholstering my parents' couch last winter.  They are awesome and if you don't own one, this is the perfect excuse to go buy yourself one.  So handy.

Using thread that matches the nest and beginning from outside the base of the nest begin sewing up and through the eggs.  I found that repeating this pattern worked best: sew up and into one egg, over through its neighbor and then back down and out the bottom of the nest. Sew back over to where you began and tie the two tails off together.  Snip them very close to the nest.

Thread your needle with a heavier thread for hanging.  I used fine hemp, but embroidery floss would work well too.  Run your needle around the rim of the nest from 2 o'clock to 10 o'clock.  Be careful to keep the needle inside the nest's edge so that none of your thread shows through.  Pull your thread through.  Thread the two ends through a bead or two and tie it off.  You don't need to use the beads, of course, but they make for a more finished look.

All done!

Comments

[Laura]

Wow, these are so earthy and real looking, I also admire your tenacity in making so many! Beautiful job.

[Pauline]

So sweet! Hope to make it soon. I'm adding this to my Pinterest board, too - thanks for sharing!

[Linda Stubbs Prairie Flower Farm]

This is precious! I am pinning it on my Pinterest! You did such a beautiful job! I want to make one for my coop.........my girls will love it! I am putting you up on my blog.....I am sending them over here for the pattern.

Blessings, Linda
Prairie Flower Farm

[Julie]

VEry, very cute! I found you on Pinterest. I must make some of these in the spring. Thank you for sharing!

[Margaret B.]

Oh, delicious... delightful!

[Catherine]

Oh everyone on the planet needs to make this nest. Too cute. I will however knit eggs as I have no needle felting talent/tools!

[Mosaic Magpie]

Thanks for the pattern, so vey cute!

[Linda]

I posted you darling nest and eggs on craft Gossip Felting and hope you stop by: http://felting.craftgossip.com/2011/03/20/diy-felted-nest-and-eggs-edds-for-mama-robin-bird/

Linda

[Dolly Kauley]

Thank you so much for sharing this pattern. I've been looking for a pattern and can't wait to try making an adorable nest like this one. I can't wait for spring!

[Liv]

Honey, I imagine as long as you crochet them bigger in order for them to felt down as I did with knitting them they'll work just fine. Wish I were even close to a competent crocheter to help you out more!

[Honey]

Oh these are so cute! I'd like to have them to use right now since it's spring! I've only felted sweaters for soakers...if I crocheted the nests would it still work? I'm completly incompetant when it comes to trying to figure out how to knit. I use the knifty knitter for making hats and blankets for when I want it to 'look' like knitting. But...will crochet work as long as I use the proper yarn?

Honey

[Kileen]

Those are adorable! Thanks for sharing the pattern. I'm going to make these for my mom's Christmas tree.

[KnittingB]

So lovely! Thanks for sharing!

[Meryl]

I'm so glad you posted this! Now if I'm not on your swap list I can make it myself! :)

[Paula]

I'm here through One Pretty Thing; your pattern is lovely!

Thank you so much for sharing!

[Daphne]

My husband made some nests as a kid using a walnut shell and paper balls and glued them to a clothes pin to attach to the tree. When we take out the ornaments I will copy the poem that goes along with them.
These are adorable and just reminded me of what dh had made.
If I have any time left over I will give these a try
http://daphne-creativemom.blogspot.com/

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=667076420]

THanks for this pattern. I want to make gives for Christmas and these are too cute!

[Gen]

Oh how wonderful!