With Easter and Spring around the corner I have been thinking a lot about eggs, birds and nests. Last year I knit and then felted all my children nests for their easter treats. This year I wanted to do something slightly different using some fabric from my scrap pile. I decided to knit a nest from fabric. I made this up as I went along so the instructions are not very detailed. Nests come in all different shapes and sizes just like people so I don't think you can mess up too badly. The first step is quite fun and I am sure you can enlist some little helpers for this. You need to tear your fabric into strips of approximately 2 cm width. Don't cut, tear it really makes a difference in the appearance. Have you ever seen a bird with scissors or God forbid a rotary cutter. When you need to join the strip just tie a knot leaving some ends. These will add character to your finished product. 
Arwen, my cat really wanted to help tear up the thrift store sheet into strips.
You will need a set of 4 thick knitting needles because this nest is knit in the round . I used 10mm needles or u.s.size 15. I cast on 36 stitches divided amongst 3 needles evenly.
Join the round and knit for about 4 rounds before starting the decreases. Knit 4 stitches and then knit the next 2 stitches together (k2tog) and repeat this until you have completed a round. You have decreased 6 stitches. Knit a round . Next round knit 3 stitches and then k2tog and repeat this until you have completed the round , again you have decreased 6 stitches. Knit one round. Next round knit 2 stitches and k2tog , repeat this until the end of the round. Knit one round. Knit 1 and then k2tog and repeat until the end of the round . Knit one round. You should have a total of 12 stitches left on three needles. Cut your rag strip about 12 inches long and thread it onto a yarn needle. Thread it through each stitch and pull to gather up the last 12 stitches tightly. Fasten the end .
You are finished. Wasn't that easy. You can leave your nest empty or fill it with an egg , bird or easter treats.
You can knit other things with rags. It is a great way of using up old sheets or worn out clothing . A few years ago I knit summer bags for my daughters to hold their knitting projects. I called then rag bags. Here is a picture of Deborah's bag.
It wasn't that long ago that pink was her favorite color.
Margie I have been wondering. I have been enjoying all your Easter crafts so much. Is Easter your favourite holiday or do you all this at Christmas time too? Because if you do it at Christmas time we are in for a real treat!
Posted by: mary | March 16, 2008 at 10:20 PM
I will try one of these beautiful nests soon . Thankyou for the instruction .
Posted by: helen | March 16, 2008 at 10:54 PM
Mary, Christmas is definitely my favorite holiday by far. I started this blog in January so I didn't get a chance to document my pre Christmas activities last year. It was a very handmade Christmas. Almost all my gifts were made or bought on etsy. Helen, I can't wait to see what your nests will look like. I know you have some beautiful old fabrics to work with.
Posted by: Margaret Oomen | March 17, 2008 at 06:11 AM
Oh, what a lovely idea! My husband and I have been gathering goodies for our daughter's Easter treat but haven't figured out what to put them in yet. If I can get my act together quickly, a knitted next might be just the ticket!
Posted by: Marsha | March 17, 2008 at 08:26 AM
a lovely nest, I like very much what you do, will visit often:)
Posted by: Christiane | March 19, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Wow Margie, these projects are really special. You always surprise me with something beautiful. That little nest makes me sooo happy. I love everything you make.
Thank you for sharing!
Elsita :)
Posted by: Elsita | March 19, 2008 at 09:52 PM
Can I make your birds nest with circular needle?
not good with three needle and I don't have any, but lots of circular.
Sure love the birds nest want to make a bunch to give away for Easter
Thanks Judy
Posted by: Judy | February 14, 2010 at 02:25 PM