I’m traveling today. Returning from the holidays. Does anyone else feel like they need a vacation after taking a vacation? It’s exhausting! Nothing like “nesting” in your own bed.
Anyway, when my husband drives, I can work and my project bag is always with me!! For this trip, I’m working on an order for a customer. My customer requested a set of my nesting cups, but wants only natural materials so this set is 100% cotton in assorted colors.
I decided what better free pattern to post than this fun easy one? All you need is an assortment of yarn and 3 hooks – for these I use my 4.0mm, 4.5mm, and 5.0 mm. My cotton is a mix of Sugar & Cream and Peaches & Cream. There are only two patterns – to increase the size to make the cups nest you just go up to the next hook size and repeat the pattern. So, here are the circle numbers. You probably need to be somewhat familiar with working increases in the round to understand this simplified version. And gauge isn’t important for this as long as you maintain the same throughout each cup.
Pattern 1: Start with your 4.0 mm and then make again using the next two hook sizes.
Round 1: Chain 2, 6 Sc in 2nd Chain from hook.
Round 2: 2sc in each stitch around (12)
Round 3: (1 Sc, 2sc) repeat around (18)
Round 4: (1 Sc, 1 Sc, 2sc) repeat around (24)
Round 5:BLO crochet one stitch in each stitch around. (24)
Rounds 6-11 : Sc in each stitch around. I work this pattern in a continuous spiral with no joins, but do how you feel more comfortable.
At the end of round 11 you need to slip stitch in next stitch, chain 1 and do reverse single crochet around each stitch to make border. *you can completely not do this and just add one more row of Sc if you prefer.
Pattern 2: For the next set of 3 cups you will start again with your smallest hook and move one hook size up for two more cups. Repeat rounds 1-4 above.
Round 5: (1sc,1sc,1sc,2sc) repeat around (30)
Round 6: (1sc,1sc,1sc,1sc,2sc) repeat around (36)
Round 7-13 – repeat rounds 5-11 from pattern 1 above.
And you’re done! You should have 6 nesting cups that tuck inside each other for a super fun gift. If you do make these with cotton they also make great teething toys. When you dampen and freeze cotton toys they are super teethers!
