The Nest stitch is a stunning to look at, but is challenging to make. It will never fail to impress so is worth the effort. In this stitch guide I will show you how to crochet the Nest stitch with all the pictures that you need along with a video guide that you can follow along with too.

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I first used the Nest stitch in the FrankenScrap crochet along as one of the pieces of the quilt like blanket. You can access the whole pattern for free here.

The Nest stitch is a challenging crochet stitch and needs careful checking of your stitch placement in places. It is a stunning looking stitch that is based on the Crocodile stitch. It is also a yarn eater of a stitch and is incredibly thick making it perfect for mermaid blankets and anything that you want to be really warm.

The Nest stitch is essentially a crocodile stitch with a puff stitch placed int the middle. It needs a lot of yarn, much more than you might think as those puffs are made very thick. But if you want a statement crochet stitch then the Nest will never fail to impress and is worth the effort – and the yarn.

For the sample in the picture below I used Alize Bahar for this piece, a 100% multicolour yarn that has a very pretty colour change going on as you work through the yarn.

This how to guide is part of Froggity Frog’s Stitch Vault collection. Have you seen all the other stitches in there? You can take a look here all the guides are free to access and maybe you will discover some new stitches to create for yourself.

The yarn I used in the pictures of this stitch guide below is Stylecraft Cotton Classique DK, a 100% cotton yarn. It’s a non mercerised cotton that is lovely and soft, but it can get a bit splitty if you frog it a couple of times. It does makes lovely cosy blankets though and is the yarn that got me hooked on cotton as my fibre of choice. I think I first got a ball of this yarn in a mystery bag I got off ebay, and it was a great yarn discovery for me and I’ve been loving using this yarn ever since.

I also used my trusty Clover Amour hooks which are perfect if you are looking for a good value ergonomic crochet hook that won’t cause your hand to ache if you are crocheting for long periods of time. I’ve tried many different crochet hooks over the years, but I always end up coming back to my trusty Clovers. They just sit so well in my hand and never let me down.

How To Crochet The Nest Stitch

Click here for the left hand video

Abbreviations

• Ch = Chain
• Sk = Skip
• St = Stitch
• Chsp = Chain Space
• Sc = Single Crochet
• Hdc = Half Double Crochet
• Dc = Double Crochet

Start by making a foundation chain in multiples of 3 plus 8 (plus 1 for your turning chain)

Row 1. In the 3rd ch from your hook make a sc. Make a sc in each st across

Row 2. Turn and ch 1. Make a dc turning chain in the first st and then make a hdc in each of the next 2st. Ch 1 and then skip the next stitch and make 2dc in the next st. 

*Chain 2 and then skip 2 stitches and make 2 dc in the next stitch* repeat between *and* until you have 4 stitches left. Then chain 1 and skip the next stitch and make a hdc in each of the last 3 stitches of the row.

Row 3. Turn and chain 1. Make a sc in each of the first 3 stitches. Next we’re going to start our Nest stitch around the posts of the first set of dc stitches in row 2 – this looks like a crocodile stitch

Around the post of the first dc, make 5 dc. You may find it easier to work if you turn your work on it’s side. 

Next twist your work the other way round and make 5 dc around the post of the 2nd dc.

*Skip the next pair of dc, and make a crocodile stitch around the next set of posts*

Repeat between *and* then sc in the last 3 stitches of the row 

Row 4. Turn and chain 1. Make a dc turning chain in the first stitch and then make a hdc in each of the next 2 stitches. Ch 1 

*Make a puff – Insert your hook in the middle of the scale, going into the stitch underneath YO and pull up a loop x 7 (15 loops on your hook). YO and pull through all loops on your hook.

Chain 2 and make 2 dc around row 3,  pushing your hook through the middle of the dc and between the scales. 

then ch2* repeat between *and* and make a sc then chain 1 and make a hdc in the last 3 stitches of the row.

Row 5. Turn and ch1. Make a sc in each of the first 3 st and then ch 2. Make a crocodile stitch in the next pair of dc. This scale should sit between the scales in row 3.

*skip the puff and make a crocodile scale around the next 2 dc* repeat between *and* make a sc in each of the last 3 stitches.

Row 6. Turn and ch1. Make a dc turning chain in the first stitch and then make a hdc in the next 2 stitches. Ch 1 and make 2dc in the top of the puff 2 rows below.

*Make a puff in the middle of the scale, going into the stitch underneath and through the top of the puff 2 rows below. 

Ch 2 and make 2 dc between the scales 2 rows below then make a ch2* repeat between *and* When you have 3 stitches left make a sc then ch2 and make a hdc.

Repeat rows 3-6 until you have as many rows as you need. Then you will need to make a finishing row.

Finishing Row. Turn and ch1. Make a sc in each of the first 3 st and then make a dc around the ch and into the ch2 of Row 19. *Make a sc into the top of the puff stitch and then make 2 dc around the ch and the ch2 of Row 19. Make a sc between the 2 dc. Make 2dc around the ch and the ch2 of Row 19* repeat between *and*

Make a dc after the last scale around the ch and the ch2 in throw 19. Make a sc in each of the last 3 st.

How To Add A Border To The Nest Crochet Stitch

With the Nest stitch you have both sc and hdc rows. In the side of the single crochet rows you make one stitch. The hdc rows need to be treated in pairs. In the 1st of the hdc rows you make one stitch, in the second hdc row you make 2 stitches.

I always recommend that you make a round of single crochet stitches around your piece first before adding any border pattern that you have planned, as doing this just helps to even your stitches out and make a nice solid round to add any further stitches into.

I used the Nest stitch as one of the pieces in the scrappy quilt like FrankenScrap crochet along – find out more about this free pattern here, and join in and access the entire pattern for free.

You can find more free crochet stitch guides here in Froggity Frog’s stitch vault. Come on over to our Facebook group – Froggity Frog’s Ribbit And Stitch and show us what you made with the Nest stitch. I’d love to see what you created with this crochet stitch. 

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