 |
 |
Baby Bird Nest Patterns
Using our directions, knit or crochet one or more baby bird nests
and send them to us along with your donation information form. The mail-to address is at the bottom of the form.
Directions to knit the nests are below, or click here for a printable PDF of the complete instructions. Do you crochet? Click here for the directions to crochet baby bird nests (PDF).
There are three different sizes of warm nests that baby birds need. A single baby bird will need a small size nest, but a group of birds will need to be placed in a medium or a large size nest, depending on species. Four finches will find a medium nest to be perfect, while four baby Western Scrub Jays definitely need the larger size.
After you finish
your nest, fill out the Baby Bird Nest Donation Information Form (PDF) and mail it to the address on the bottom of the form with your nest(s).
Please mail nests to:
WildCare Baby Bird Nest Campaign
76 Albert Park Lane
San Rafael, CA 94901
|
 |
Why do we need nests?
Orphaned baby birds need to be kept warm. Fabric nests provide them with warmth and cushioning while they’re cared for at our wildlife hospital. Rescuers feed the baby birds throughout the day, washing and replacing the nests with clean ones daily. Woolen nests are perfect.
Why do you have so many different patterns? We have three nest pattern sizes for both knitted and crocheted nests because fledglings come in different sizes. Orphaned fledgling doves need a large nest, but orphaned hummingbirds need a small one. Groups of baby birds (five Western Scrub Jays, for instance) will definitely need a larger nest too.
Is this like penguin sweaters? Do you really need nests or are you going to sell them for money? We really need nests. Our Birdroom director at WildCare says they’re like towels in a nursery, one can never have too many. Once WildCare's Birdroom reaches capacity, we will share your nests with other licensed wildlife centers around the country. Our commitment is that all nests that meet the safety specifications for baby birds will go to a bird rescue facility.
Why do you need so many nests? Because bird poop happens. Nests get very dirty over the course of a day in the Birdroom. Each baby bird must be fed approximately every 45 minutes from dawn till dusk. Although the nests are lined with tissue, they still get dirty from food and poop and need to be changed. When your baby birds need to be cleaned, you just put them into a new nest and put the old one into the dirty laundry basket.
Why do you need so many nests at one time during the year? The biological cycle of many types of baby birds is such that the eggs are laid and hatched in the warm months of late spring and early summer. Some of these baby birds become orphaned for a variety of reasons: they fall out of trees, their mothers die, or their habitats get disturbed.
There are hundreds of licensed bird rescue groups across the US that take in these baby birds when humans find them and rehabilitate them until they can be released back into the wild.
Do you accept crocheted nests? Yes! Our Ravelry community has collaboratively developed a WildCare Crochet Baby Bird Nest pattern. Click for the PDF. You can join the group and connect with other
baby bird nest angels in our Ravelry group here. (requires free log-in)
Additional questions? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page
Knitting-specific questions? Visit our Ravelry group (free login required) or email nests@wildcarebayarea.org.
Please do not copy or distribute these directions without permission from WildCare — wildcarebayarea.org. To obtain permission to distribute the patterns, please contact nests@wildcarebayarea.org.
|
 |
|
Follow the detailed directions below to knit or craft your nest. Then complete the Baby Bird Nest Donation Information Form (PDF), and mail it with your nest(s) to the address on the bottom of the form.
|
Large Unfelted Nest
Pattern for large bird nest using smooth washable yarn – cotton, acrylic or washable wool. For the safety of the baby birds, unfelted nests
must be tightly knit so that bird feet don’t get caught in the loops.
Please do NOT use novelty yarn (fun fur, fuzzy or metallic materials) in your nest.
Pattern notes:
For
your nest to be safe for the baby birds, it must be knit tightly. If
you can push your fingers through the weave of the nest, it is too
loose, and could be dangerous to the baby birds.
It doesn’t matter
if the edges curl. Often the knitted nests are put inside of plastic
containers, and the curled edge folds over the plastic. Nests should be
at least 4” tall to be useful in the Birdroom.
Finished Measurements:
Approximately 4” tall
and 7” in diameter
Materials:
90 grams of
bulky weight washable yarn
Size 11
circular needles, 24” length, or as preferred
Size 11
double pointed needles,
set of 4
Darning
or yarn needle
Directions:
Nest sides:
Holding
the yarn double, cast on 40 stitches using a simple cast on.
At end of first row, place
marker and connect
to knit in
round being careful not to twist stitches. Knit in
round for 20 rows or
until piece measures at least 4”
tall.
Base:
Decrease
in each row as follows until
a flat base has been created.
Switch to DPNS if needed.
Row 1: *Knit 6, knit 2
together* repeat between stars until
end of row.
Row 2: *Knit 5, knit 2
together* repeat between stars until
end of row.
Row 3: *Knit 4, knit 2
together* repeat between stars until
end of row.
Row 4: *Knit 3, knit 2
together* repeat between stars until
end of row.
Row 5: *Knit 2, knit 2
together* repeat between stars until
end of row.
Row 6: *Knit 1, knit 2
together* repeat between stars until
end of row.
Row 7: *Knit 2 together*
repeat between stars until end
of row.
Leaving a length of 9 inches,
break off yarn. Thread needle and
run needle and thread
through all the stitches
on the needles.
Remove needles, pull
tight, and sew end of
yarn into stitches
until tight, secure
base is created. Weave
in ends.
Fill out the Baby
Bird Nest Donation
Form
and send it in!
Please do not copy or distribute these directions without permission from WildCare nests@wildcarebayarea.org. |
|
|
Large Felted Nest
Pattern for large size felted bird nest using wool that can be felted.
Pattern notes:
It doesn’t matter if the edges curl. Often the woolen nests are put inside of plastic containers, and the curled edge folds over the plastic.
After you knit this, you felt it, and it will become a sturdy, tightly woven shape that will keep birds warm and safe. Finished large felted nests should have sides at least 4" high to be useful in the Birdroom.
Finished Measurements:
Approximately 4” tall and 7” in diameter after felting.
Materials:
100 grams bulky weight wool yarn or chunky weight wool yarn held double
Size 15 circular needles, 24” length or as preferred
Size 15 double pointed needles, set of 4
Darning or yarn needle
Directions:
Nest sides:
Cast on 48 stitches using a simple cast on. Circumference of your knitting should be at least 28” before felting. At end of first row, place marker and connect to knit in round being careful not to twist stitches. Knit in round for 20 rows or until piece measures at least 5.5” tall.
Base:
Decrease in each row as follows until a flat base has been created. Switch to DPNS if needed.
Row 1: *Knit 6, knit 2 together* repeat between stars until end of row.
Row 2: *Knit 5, knit 2 together* repeat between stars until end of row.
Row 3: *Knit 4, knit 2 together* repeat between stars until end of row.
Row 4: *Knit 3, knit 2 together* repeat between stars until end of row.
Row 5: *Knit 2, knit 2 together* repeat between stars until end of row.
Row 6: *Knit 1, knit 2 together* repeat between stars until end of row.
Row 7: *Knit 2 together* repeat between stars until end of row.
Leaving a length of 9 inches, break off yarn. Thread needle and run needle and thread through all the stitches on the needles. Remove needles, pull tight, and sew end of yarn into stitches until tight, secure base is created.
Finish by fulling, or felting, it. A great way to do it is to put the nest in a pillow case, tie off the end of the pillow case and wash it in the washing machine with a load of heavy laundry, like jeans, on hot with a cold rinse. Remove from laundry, shape and let dry.
Fill out the Baby Bird Nest Donation Form and send it in!
Please do not copy or distribute these directions without permission from WildCare — wildcarebayarea.org.
Please contact nests@wildcarebayarea.org.
|
|
|
|
|
Medium Felted Nest
Pattern for medium sized bird nest using wool yarn for felting.
Pattern notes:
It doesn’t matter if the edges curl. Often the woolen nests are put inside of plastic containers, and the curled edge folds over the plastic.
After you knit this, you felt it, and it will become a sturdy, tightly woven shape that will keep birds warm and safe. Finished medium-sized felted nests should have sides at least 4" high to be useful in the Birdroom.
Finished Measurements:
Final dimension should be approximately 4” tall and 6” in diameter.
Materials:
90 grams chunky weight yarn or worsted weight yarn held double.
Size 10.5 circular needles, 24” length. or as preferred
Size 10.5 double pointed needles, set of 4
Darning or yarn needle
Directions:
Nest sides:
Cast on 48 stitches using a simple cast on. Circumference of your knitting should be about 24" before felting. At end of first row, place marker and connect to knit in round being careful not to twist stitches. Knit in round for 20 rows or until piece measures at least 5.5” tall.
Base:
Decrease in each row as follows until a flat base has been created. Switch to DPNS if needed.
Row 1: *Knit 6, knit 2 together* repeat between stars until end of row.
Row 2: *Knit 5, knit 2 together* repeat between stars until end of row.
Row 3: *Knit 4, knit 2 together* repeat between stars until end of row.
Row 4: *Knit 3, knit 2 together* repeat between stars until end of row.
Row 5: *Knit 2, knit 2 together* repeat between stars until end of row.
Row 6: *Knit 1, knit 2 together* repeat between stars until end of row.
Row 7: *Knit 2 together* repeat between stars until end of row.
Leaving a length of 9 inches, break off yarn. Thread needle and run needle and thread through all the stitches on the needles. Remove needles, pull tight, and sew end of yarn into stitches until tight, secure base is created.
Finish by fulling, or felting it. A great way to do it is to put the nest in a pillow case, tie off the end of the pillow case and wash it in the washing machine with a load of heavy laundry, like jeans, on hot with a cold rinse. Remove from laundry, shape and let dry
Fill out the Baby Bird Nest Donation Form and send it in!
Please do not copy or distribute these directions without permission from WildCare — wildcarebayarea.org.
Please contact nests@wildcarebayarea.org.
|
|
|
Medium Unfelted Nest
Pattern for medium bird nest using smooth washable yarn – cotton, acrylic or washable wool. For the safety of the baby birds, unfelted nests
must be tightly knit so that bird feet don’t get caught in the loops.
Please do NOT use novelty yarn (fun fur, fuzzy or metallic materials) in your nest.
Pattern notes:
For your nest to be safe for the baby birds, it must be knit tightly. If you can push your fingers through the weave of the nest, it is too loose, and could be dangerous to the baby birds.
It doesn’t matter if the edges curl. Often the knitted nests are put inside of plastic containers, and the curled edge folds over the plastic. Nests should be at least 4” tall to be useful in the Birdroom.
Finished Measurements:
Approximately 4” tall and 6” in diameter.
Materials:
80 grams chunky weight washable yarn or worsted weight yarn held double.
Size 10.5 circular needles, 24” length or as preferred, and/or double pointed needles, set of 4
Darning or yarn needle
Directions:
Nest sides:
Cast on 48 stitches using a simple cast on.
At end of first row, place marker and connect to knit in round being careful not to twist stitches. Knit in round for 20 rows or until piece measures at least 4” tall.
Base:
Decrease in each row as follows until a flat base has been created. Switch to DPNS if needed.
Row 1: *Knit 6, knit 2 together* repeat between stars until end of row.
Row 2: *Knit 5, knit 2 together* repeat between stars until end of row.
Row 3: *Knit 4, knit 2 together* repeat between stars until end of row.
Row 4: *Knit 3, knit 2 together* repeat between stars until end of row.
Row 5: *Knit 2, knit 2 together* repeat between stars until end of row.
Row 6: *Knit 1, knit 2 together* repeat between stars until end of row.
Row 7: *Knit 2 together* repeat between stars until end of row.
Leaving a length of 9 inches, break off yarn. Thread needle and run needle and thread through all the stitches on the needles. Remove needles, pull tight, and sew end of yarn into stitches until tight, secure base is created. Weave in ends.
Fill out the Baby Bird Nest Donation Form and send it in!
Please do not copy or distribute these directions without permission from WildCare — wildcarebayarea.org.
Please contact nests@wildcarebayarea.org.
|
|
|
Small Felted Nest
Pattern
notes:
It doesn’t matter
if
the edges curl. Often the woolen nests
are
put inside of plastic
containers, and the
curled edge folds over the plastic.
After you knit this, you felt it, and
it
will become a sturdy,
tightly woven shape that will keep birds
warm and safe. Finished small felted nests should have sides at least 3" high to be useful in the Birdroom.
Finished
Measurements:
Approximately 3” tall and
3”
in diameter, after felting.
Materials:
40 grams worsted
weight wool yarn or
aran weight yarn held
double.
Size 10.5 circular
needles, 24” length or double pointed
needles, set of 4
Darning
or yarn needles
Directions:
Nest sides:
Cast on 48 stitches using
a simple
cast on.
At end of first row, place
marker and connect
to knit in
round being careful not to twist stitches. Knit in
round for 20 rows or
until piece measures at least 4.5” tall.
Base:
Decrease in each row as
follows until a flat base has been
created. Switch to DPNS if
needed.
Row 1: Row 1: *Knit 6, knit 2 together* repeat between
stars until end of row.
Row 2: *Knit 5, knit 2
together* repeat between stars until
end of row.
Row 3: *Knit 4, knit 2
together* repeat between stars until
end of row.
Row 4: *Knit 3, knit 2
together* repeat between stars until
end of row.
Row 5: *Knit 2, knit 2
together* repeat between stars until
end of row.
Row 6: *Knit 1, knit 2
together* repeat between stars until
end of row.
Row 7: *Knit 2 together*
repeat between stars until end
of row.
Leaving a length of 9 inches,
break off yarn. Thread needle and
run needle and thread
through all the stitches
on the needles.
Remove needles, pull
tight, and sew end of
yarn into stitches
until tight, secure
base is created. Weave
in ends.
Finish by
fulling, or felting
it.
A great way to do it is
to put the nest in
a pillow case, tie off the end of the pillow case and wash it in
the
washing machine
with a load of heavy laundry, like jeans, on hot
with a cold rinse.
Remove from laundry, shape and
let
dry.
Fill out the Baby
Bird Nest Donation
Form
and send it in!
Please do not copy or distribute these directions without permission from WildCare — wildcarebayarea.org.
Please contact nests@wildcarebayarea.org.
|
|
|
Small Unfelted Nest
Pattern for small bird nest using smooth washable yarn – cotton, acrylic or washable wool. For the safety of the baby birds, unfelted nests
must be tightly knit so that bird feet don’t get caught in the loops.
Please do NOT use novelty yarn (fun fur, fuzzy or metallic materials) in your nest.
Pattern notes:
For
your nest to be safe for the baby birds, it must be knit tightly. If
you can push your fingers through the weave of the nest, it is too
loose, and could be dangerous to the baby birds.
It doesn’t matter
if the edges curl. Often the knitted nests are put inside of plastic
containers, and the curled edge folds over the plastic. Nests should be
at least 4” tall to be useful in the Birdroom.
Finished
Measurements:
Approximately 3” tall
and 4” in diameter
Materials:
30
grams worsted weight washable yarn.
Size 8 circular needles, 24”
length or size 8 double pointed needles, set of 4
Darning or yarn needle
Directions:
Nest sides:
Holding
the yarn double, cast on 48 stitches using a simple cast on.
At end of first row, place
marker and connect
to knit in
round being careful not to twist stitches. Knit in
round for 20 rows or
until piece measures at least 3”
tall.
Base:
Decrease
in each row as follows until
a flat base has been created.
Switch to DPNS if needed.
Row 1: *Knit 6, knit 2
together* repeat between stars until
end of row.
Row 2: *Knit 5, knit 2
together* repeat between stars until
end of row.
Row 3: *Knit 4, knit 2
together* repeat between stars until
end of row.
Row 4: *Knit 3, knit 2
together* repeat between stars until
end of row.
Row 5: *Knit 2, knit 2
together* repeat between stars until
end of row.
Row 6: *Knit 1, knit 2
together* repeat between stars until
end of row.
Row 7: *Knit 2 together*
repeat between stars until end
of row.
Leaving a length of 9 inches,
break off yarn. Thread needle and
run needle and thread
through all the stitches
on the needles.
Remove needles, pull
tight, and sew end of
yarn into stitches
until tight, secure
base is created. Weave in ends.
Fill out
the Baby Bird Nest Donation Form and
send it in.
Please do not copy or distribute these directions without permission from WildCare — wildcarebayarea.org.
Please contact nests@wildcarebayarea.org.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
