Crochet Toys · Free Patterns

You, Me and the ABCs : Crochet ABC Toys: N is for Nest

If you are a crocheter and have a baby or toddler, play room or nursery, and love organization and helping your child learn – this post is for you!  I am posting new patterns for each letter many times per week so keep checking back.

Want a fun way to use your scraps? Want to make a lot of little projects/toys that are great for little ones? Want to custom a special piece for a wee one? – and then end with one big finale? This project is for you! (And you can skip the big finale if it’s not for you and still have all the little toys and ABCs.)

I have compiled the first letters of this event in a convenient downloadable PDF if you prefer to print them out and have them all in one place.  And my printable paid patterns contain a lot more photo tutorials to help you if you need.  You can find the letters A-F HERE ON MY ETSY.

And NOW since I have finished the Letter M, you can get Part 2 HERE IN MY ETSYPart 2 contains the Letters G-M and you get a 39-page PDF plus my Hedgehog PDF pattern.

This project was in my head as I was designing all of these letters and I’m so excited to get this started! Wonโ€™t you join me? Here is the latest new pattern to go with the others already linked.  If you prefer to shop on Ravelry for your patterns I also have the entire alphabet PDF over there.

You can begin by deciding what colors you want to use for your letters – I’ll be using them all! – and make up the alphabet  or save this post and wait for the end and make it all at once.

I’m gonna give you some options at the end to make the final part right for you/your space.  Here are some of the previous toys so make sure to check out THE ORIGINAL POST to link hop to them all.

Here are the latest patterns – all free on my blog – some are being posted next so stay tuned for Nest and Ninja.

I will using some of the patterns that I’ve already made for this ABC project and you will see those linked below at the end of this post.  You can go ahead and get started today! I can’t wait to share this with you. I’m planning on at least a weekly update, but I’m going to shoot for two per week. I’m gonna try. It is now gardening season and on the nice days that is where you might find me – so, my work may slow down just a wee bit until I can get everything in the ground.  I hope not – I still have night time ๐Ÿ™‚

So, join me. Save this post. Let’s get started!

This post does contain affiliate links.  I will get a small percentage from any purchase made through my page here, but your price remains the same.  I appreciate any purchase made through my page as I can continue to offer free patterns here on my blog.

UPDATE: N is for Nest: May 21, 2020

I want to say thank you for all who stop by to support my patterns and my blog.  I have chosen to NOT do ads on my blog (with the exception of my affiliate links) and offer FREE patterns, but please – if you love my patterns and want to say a little thank you- or just have some good small business karma support points- a purchase now and then or a visit to any of my affiliate links really helps.  It keeps this blog going so I can continue to offer free patterns for all to enjoy.  I also purchase a pattern now and then or visit an affiliate link from my favorite blogs and designers.  Thank you

I have compiled the first half of the alphabet from this event in two a convenient downloadable PDFs if you prefer to print them out and have them all in one place.  You can find the letters A-F HERE IN MY ETSY.

and also now the Letters G-M IN MY ETSY. 

I will be doing two more downable PDFs including N-S and T-Z once they are all finished – and that is very soon!  And then at the end ALL OF THE TOYS will be available in a bundle with savings.

Darn Good Yarn: Online Yarn Store | Ethical Yarn

This pattern is intended for personal use only. This pattern -and all my patterns- are offered for free or a small fee to help support my family so please do not redistribute, sell, copy or use them in any way not in accordance with fairness.

You may sell products made from this pattern, but please give me credit as the designer. Please do not use my photos as your own work, but you may use my photos to reference back to my blog, Etsy, Pinterest, IG or FB, but please link back to me.

If you find any problems with this pattern please let me know and if you have any problems with any of it feel free to message me and ask for support.

Kristi Bergin-Smith and The Burgundy Basket, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this siteโ€™s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to me, Kristi Bergin-Smith and The Burgundy Basket with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Pin this post and come back for all of the A-Z toys!

B is for Bird is an extra pattern for this series that was designed as part of a Woodland Themed Baby gift, so I did not blog it back when I worked on ‘B is for Ball’ and ‘B is for Bunny,’ but how can you have a Nest without a bird?  So, B for Bird is also available here on my blog.  Go HERE to get that pattern.

Materials:

Brown and Off-White 4-ply worsted weight yarn (I used Caron One Pound and Red Heart Super Saver) and size H/5mm or G/4mm hook for the eggs and J/6mm for the nest. I used my H hook for the eggs, but I crochet tight. If you tend to crochet loose or use a yarn that works up smaller than Caron you probably want to go down to your G/4-4.25mm hook. The nest was made holding two strands together. I also used stuffing, squeaker insert, rattle box and crinkle paper.

These are the hooks I use now – only these – but, if these are a little too high priced for your budget, I have the large set of these – and aside from the fact that they letters/size has smudged from use – they are just as nice I think.




Eggs: Ch 2 (you can also use a magic ring if that is your preferred method of starting a circle)

Round 1: 8 sc in second chain from hook (8)

Round 2: *sc in next three sc, 2sc in next sc* repeat around (10)

Round 3: *sc in next four sc, 2sc in next sc* repeat around (12)

Round 4: *sc in next three sc, 2sc in next sc* repeat around (15)

Round 5: *sc in next four sc, 2sc in next sc* repeat around (18)

Rounds 6-7: sc in each stitch around (18)

Round 8: *sc in next 7, 2sc in next sc, 2sc in next sc* repeat (22)

Round 9: sc in each stitch around (22)

Round 10: *1 sc in next 10, 2sc in next sc* repeat (24)

Rounds 11-12: 1 sc in each stitch around (24)

Stuff as you go and if you want to insert any toys do that before you close.

Round 13: *(sc 4, inv dec)* repeat (20)

Round 14: *(sc 3, inv dec)* repeat (16)

Round 15: *(sc 2, inv dec)* repeat (12)

Round 16: dec sc around and sew shut. Weave in the end.


NEST: The nest is super simple. It is just a โ€œbowlโ€ crocheted holding two strands of 4-ply worsted weight yarn together in the BACK LOOP ONLY. I chose to use my J/6mm hook for this part.

Ch 2 (you can also use a magic ring if that is your preferred method of starting a circle)

Round 1: 8 sc in second chain from hook (8)

Round 2: 2 sc in in stitch around (16)

Round 3: *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc** repeat around (24)

Round 4: *1 sc in next two sc, 2 sc in next sc** repeat around (32)

Round 5: *1 sc in next three sc, 2 sc in next sc** repeat around (40)

Round 6: *1 sc in next four sc, 2 sc in next sc** repeat around (48)

Rounds 7-11: sc in each stitch around (48)

Round 12: BOTH LOOPS *1sc in the next 4 sc, dec sc* around (40) โ€“ slip stitch in next and chain 1

Round 13: reverse single crochet all the way around *this might be a new stitch for you โ€“ it is a bit more complex for new crocheters, but has a really nice texture. There are great YouTube videos showing you how to reverse single crochet (or crab stitch) โ€“ but, if it is just too much feel free to sc around.

The very last step is optional, but helpful โ€“ and fun โ€“ if you are making this for a baby to keep them from loosing the eggs. In my example, I have attached each egg to the nest with a spiral โ€œcord.โ€ You can make these in any size. The ones in the example are a chain of 30 โ€“ leave a small tail to start โ€“ chain to desired length – slip stitch to the bottom of the egg โ€“ and then make 3hdc in each chain โ€“ leave another tail at the end and tie onto the bottom of the nest. I usually make multiple knots to secure. Trim or weave in end.

I realized after I started this project that I would never be able to update every new post with every new link – once I got down to the end of the alphabet, I would have to update about 20 post with all the links to all the new patters – So, I will be keeping THIS ORIGINAL POST updated with all the new links for all of the new toys.  <3

In addition to the alphabet patterns, below you will find a list of toys that will be linked right here starting now. *these are not set in stone and I may decide to switch them as I work if I am inspired in a different direction. So, pin or save this post and come back and follow along with me or subscribe to my blog and get email updates when I make a new post.

I highly recommend the monthly Bark Box.  We have been getting this since last year for our Blue Heeler, Ruger, that is our big couch companion.  This year we got him a girlfriend, Rebel, and she also approves!  This is our latest box from May and I wish I could show you the video – I have it over on my Faceboook page.  They love their boxes and have so much fun “opening” them.

Ball – for the ball toys in this project, I refer you to this post to make one – or many – crochet balls using your scrap yarns.  The more textures the better.  You can also add rattle boxes, squeakers, stress balls as filler and more.

Bunny – I have made a few bunnies in the past and  I will be making another version of my Clover the Baby Bunny Pattern

Dinosaur – here on my blog you will find an entire Dinosaur Family.  For this ABC event, I will be making a different version of Scrappy.  Heโ€™s the perfect size and uses up some assorted scrap yarns.  If you want a different option, Baby Pea is also a nice small size and also Pinky the Dezzy Inspired DRAGON is a good choice for D is for Dragon.

Eye – I will be using the eyeball pattern from my Halloween Bag of Balls for this project, but if you find it too weird or spooky for a baby let me know and Iโ€™m sure I can whip up a different one.  This one would be super cute with some crinkle paper inside.  *Also, when you visit this post there is a Zombie ball that would make a cute Z word  and I will most likely be altering the colors on this Zombie ball and making a few additions to do a Ninja toy for N.

Goat – here on my blog you will find Ginger the Goat in my Farm Series.  She is a bit large for this project so she will get a few modifications to be a bit smaller.  Feel free to make her if you want a larger goat.

Lamb– another make from my Farm Series is Lonny the Lamb.  Lonny is a  nice, small size so I will be using this pattern here for the  Lamb, but will switch up the colors Iโ€™m sure. Maybe bright? Maybe a girl?

Octopus – in my opinion this octopus squeeze ball is the perfect baby toy when made from cotton so this is the pattern that I will be using right here.  I like to use 100% cotton and the stress/squeeze balls on the inside of the head and it makes these the perfect baby toy with teether capabilities.  And they are so quick to make you can make a handful.

 

Will you be joining in the fun? Iโ€™d love for you to make all of this with me, but if not pick a few and make it with me.

Iโ€™d love to see all your work or catch up with your progress so connect with me over on IG @theburgundybasket

#youandmeabccrochet

 

XOXO,

Kristi

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