A Bird For Your Nest?

This little robin is from my Woolly Birds pattern. She was first knit using 2 strands together of Frog Tree Alpaca sport weight yarn, #0012 dark grey. This yarn felts beautifully! Then she is brushed with a nap riser brush to pull out the yarn's hairy fibers, creating a soft fuzzy little bird. Every nest needs a little bird to roost in and to call home. Look out, then come the eggs!

The Nesting Instinct.

It's feeling like Spring here in Minnesota, thus all the bird's nests of late. I love this little nest! It can sit out all year long. This nest is chirping full of Springtime with these little roving eggs.

I plan on knitting a nest that will include raffia strands and Fizz (a hairy-like novelty yarn) in it, carrying the 'extras' every other round. Then I will brush it with my nap riser brush, only along the rim, to create even more fuzz. The nest in the end, after felting, looks natural, soft and a bit hairy-like. Of course, I will share the photo when it's done. In the meantime, think Spring!

Robin Egg Blue, Look No Longer!

 

I FOUND IT! It's been hard to find a yarn that invokes the feeling of robin's egg blue, as well as, have it felt beautifully and consistently. The yarn is Lamb's Pride Nature Spun sport weight, #115 Bit of Blue. I love using this yarn when I knit the Woolly Nest & Eggs pattern.

my favorite nest of all times

When knitting a nest, think like a bird but don't be limited by the traditional bird-like colors: muddy-brown or dusty-gray. Any nest color can be coordinated to match a funky ribbon or yarns used for your eggs. For additional whimsey, change out the egg colors!

 

The nests below are both knit using the same pattern directions. But the smaller nest used a strand of sport weight rather than worsted weight yarn. Sport weight yarn and size 8 dps creates a smaller nest, a perfect size for one little baby bird egg. Make your own family nest and fill it with an egg for each child in your family. A great new baby gift idea!

 

And finally, the Easter-basket nest! Fill this nest with decorative, whimsical knitted eggs or how about edible eggs, colorfully wrapped chocolate truffles! Who says they have to look like a 'real' bird laid them?

 

With this whimsical nest, be sure to buy a few colorful feathers to line its bottom. Dyed bird feathers can be found in a hobby store. They create a perfect cushion, as well as, a fun accent color for your little eggs! 

If you ever have trouble locating a yarn I have used in my patterns just send me an email. I can hook you up with a store or two that carries that specific yarn(s). Contact me here:

mariemayhewdesigns@gmail.com

My Christmas Nest & Now Yours!

woolly nest ornament kit

For those of you that have not knit a felted nest or two in your day, and thus have not heard the legend of the Christmas Nest, here it is. My Christmas wish for you and your families into your new year! 

"A German legend tells of the magic of all the world's birds bursting into song as if with one voice the night the Christ child was born. Your family may find a bird's nest hidden within their Christmas tree. The nest promises the gift of health, wealth, and happiness to all throughout the year!"

NOTE: Want to increase your little nest cuteness level just a bit? Brush the felted nest's rim with a little nap riser brush! Brushing the rim of the nest, back and forth a few times, will pull out the yarn's alpaca fibers, creating a fuzzy little edge. Adorable!