Bryn Mawr College MLK Day of Service Project

Guidelines for proper nest construction

by WRN ADMIN TEAM on Wed Aug 24, 2016 12:45 pm

Pattern information

 VERY IMPORTANT: All nests MUST be made to our pattern specifications to ensure the safety of the animals. Our patterns were developed with the help of wildlife care professionals for this reason. Unfortunately, we have received complaints about injury hazards from unsafe nests made using designs from other sources. While we certainly understand the cuteness factor of baby animals in cozy nests, their safety must always come first. If your nests were made WITHOUT following our patterns, we ask that you send us photos before mailing so we can ensure they are acceptable. Do not go off-pattern without the WRN Admin Team’s prior approval.  Our patterns use US crochet/knitting terms. Our crochet patterns use 4 mm hooks, and knitting patterns use 5 mm needles, but you can use any size to obtain the proper tension, as pictured below. (PLEASE NOTE: Previous versions of the crochet patterns recommended a 5 mm hook. This has been revised, as many volunteers were having issues with tension.)  Our basic regular, cave and hanging nest patterns (crochet and knit) are are available to all registered volunteers.  As noted in the previous chapter, our specialty and pilot-project patterns are only available to a small group of experts. Again, do not attempt to recreate one of our specialty items without our consent.  If you need any help with the patterns, we encourage you to use our Discussion Boards.

Yarn specifications

 We recommend using standard, medium (4) weight yarns. Other weight may be used to obtain proper tension.  Acrylic, cotton and natural wool yarns are acceptable, as long as they can be machine washed and dried. Nests made with novelty yarns (i.e., fibers with stray hairs, eyelash or boa yarns, metallic yarns, sequined yarns, etc.) are not be accepted, as they could be injury hazards for animals.  Blanket yarn can be used as long as you are able to obtain appropriate tension (remember that the nests will be larger than the pattern size!). We only recommend blanket yarn to experienced crocheters.  Because this question often gets asked, “yarn” made with shredded plastic bags or any other unconventional materials is NOT acceptable. We do applaud your green way of thinking! But several of our rescues have confirmed that those materials are not safe for the animals in their care.  If a rescue requires a specific type of yarn or construction, it will be noted under their mailing address.

Tension and nest construction

 Always use two strands of yarn and check your tension to ensure that nests are rigid and safe for the animals. Tip: It’s easier to count stitches when using two different/contrasting colours of yarn.  A number of our rescues have confirmed that there are no specific colours to avoid.  Tie off your work using a few sturdy knots before weaving in the ends. Otherwise, the nests may begin to unravel after a few washings.  Do not wash your nests before sending them out, as certain detergents may be harmful. Again, this no-washing policy comes at the request of many rescues.  If the finished nest does not hold its shape (i.e. if a regular nest is floppy, or a cave nest is flat), it was not made with enough tension and is not usable.  If your nest bottom “balloons” out and the nest tips over, ease up on the tension slightly.  If your nest is not the exact width specified in the patterns, that’s ok, as long as proper tension is used!  For crocheters: Always crochet through both loops, not just the front or back loop. When the nests are made by crocheting through only one loop, they lose the tightness they need to retain their shape.  For knitters: Please note that cave nests cannot be made with circular needles. This has been tested by our expert knitters and knitting pattern designers.  Also for knitters: If your regular nests aren’t stiff enough, you may want to try using a basket weave to add extra structure to your nests. Simply follow the pattern, but using 1 row of stockinette and 1 row of purl, alternating to form a basket weave. (Thanks to Melissa for the tip!)  Loomed nests are not accepted as they cannot be made with sufficient tension. Trust us, it's been tested thoroughly.  Felted nests are okay, as long as they're made with proper tension and have no stray hairs.  If you’re not sure about your nest at any stage of construction, feel free to ask for advice in our Discussion Boards.

Proper yarn tension:

Example of nest dimensions

8" wide nest

A finished 8" wide nest should be 5" tall. (Height varies according to pattern size; see the patterns for specifications.)

The sides will be rolled down for extra stability when in use.

04. Tutorials and videos

by WRN ADMIN TEAM on Wed Aug 24, 2016 12:57 pm

 Knitted cave nests  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7c-nXqeFNM Regular nests (knit)

Pattern by Barbara Johnson

* We ask that all volunteers read sections 1 to 4 of the Volunteer Guide before making nests. All nest shipments must be registered through our online form. *

Materials: Four size 5 mm double-pointed needles. Two strands of worsted weight (4) yarn.

Very important: Two strands of yarn and heavy tension must be used to create a rigid nest. Even though nests are typically lined with tissues, it is essential that they be made as tightly as possible, with no holes or gaps, to prevent injuries to claws or toes. If the finished nest does not hold its shape (i.e. if it is floppy/flat), it was not made with enough tension and it is not usable.

Abbreviations: dpns = double-pointed needles; K = knit; P = purl; st(s) = stitch(es); r = round; tog = together.

Note: If your nests aren’t stiff enough, you may want to try using a basket weave to add extra structure to your nests. Simply follow the pattern below, but using 1 row of stockinette and 1 row of purl, alternating to form a basket weave. Thanks to Melissa for the tip!

4” wide regular nest

Cast on 54 stitches; then divide evenly among 4 dpns. Work in stockinette (all K stitches) until the nest is approximately 3″ tall. Purl one row, and then start to decrease: R 1: K7, K2tog—repeat to end. R 2: K6, K2tog—repeat to end. R 3: K5, K2tog—repeat to end. R 4: K4, K2tog—repeat to end. R 5: K3, K2tog—repeat to end. R 6: K2, K2tog—repeat to end. R 7: K1, K2tog—repeat to end. Tip: Only decrease to the point where you have a small, easily closed gap in the bottom of the nest; otherwise there can be a bump on the bottom that can make the nest unstable. Cut yarns, leaving a 6″ tail. Slide yarn on needle, draw tight to close up end (put a few stitches across the gap if need be.)

8” wide regular nest

 Cast on 108 stitches; then divide evenly among 4 dpns. Work in stockinette (all K stitches) until the nest is approximately 5″ tall. Purl one row, and then start to decrease: R 1: K14, K2tog—repeat to end. R 2: K13, K2tog—repeat to end. R 3: K12, K2tog—repeat to end. R 4: K11, K2tog—repeat to end. R 5: K10, K2tog—repeat to end. R 6: K9, K2tog—repeat to end. R 7: K8, K2tog—repeat to end. R 8: K7, K2tog—repeat to end. R 9: K6, K2tog—repeat to end. R 10: K5, K2tog—repeat to end. R 11: K4, K2tog—repeat to end. R 12: K3, K2tog—repeat to end. R 13: K2, K2tog—repeat to end. R 14: K1, K2tog—repeat to end. Tip: Only decrease to the point where you have a small, easily closed gap in the bottom of the nest; otherwise there can be a bump on the bottom that can make the nest unstable. Cut yarns, leaving a 6″ tail. Slide yarn on needle, draw tight to close up end (put a few stitches across the gap if need be.)