Building a crochet bowl that looks like a bird nest for Wingspan

The board game Wingspan is a fun and educational game. My favorite pieces in the game are the small, colorful eggs that are included. To hold these eggs during game play, I decided to craft a jute bird nest. This quick craft took less than an hour and was very inexpensive. Here is how to make one for yourself.

These directions assume you have some familiarity with crocheting and know the basic techniques involved. When working with jute, be patient. The coarseness of the twine requires more effort than yarn does. Keep in mind that any debris and fraying of the material just add to the natural look we are going for.

Crochet Bird Nest

Materials

Jute twine
Crochet hook (Size I/9-5.5MM)

Directions

1. Although I used a size I hook, you will want to pick a size that works for you based on the particular jute used. Make a magic circle by wrapping jute around your finger twice and pulling a loop through it using the crochet hook.

2. This project is worked in rounds. For the first round, chain 3 and make 11 double crochets in the center of the magic ring. Join to the top of the initial chains. This counts as 12 double crochets.

First round of bird nest bowl with double crochets

3. Carefully pull on the tail of the magic circle to close the hole.

4. For the second round, chain 3 and make a single crochet in the same space. Make two single crochets in the top of each double crochet from the previous round. Do NOT join with the first stitch in the row. Mark the first stitch using a stitch marker. I like to use a red colored paper clip, as shown.

Second round of bird nest bowl with single crochets

5. For the third round, make a single crochet in the first space, two single crochets in the next, and a single crochet in the next. Repeat this pattern of a single crochet, two single crochets, and another single, all the way around. Move your stitch marker when you reach the end of the round. You should now have a circle that is approximately 3.5″ in diameter. This is the base of the bowl.

Third round of bird nest bowl with single crochets

6. You are now ready to build up the sides of the bowl by stitching a single crochet in each stitch all the way around. When done with this fourth round, repeat for another round. You now have five rounds.

Fourth and fifth rounds of bird nest bowls to build up the sides with single crochets

7. Now is a good time to try out your bowl. Fill with the eggs from your game and see if they all fit well. If it is smaller than you’d like, you can add another round of single crochet at this time.

Check size of bird nest bowl by filling with eggs

8.Finish the top of the bowl making a slip stitch in the back loop of each stitch all the way around.

Finish top of bird nest bowl with slip stitches

9. Fasten off the last stitch. Flip the bowl over and weave in your ends.

Weave in the ends of the jute for the bird nest bowl

To further add to your Wingspan game, you can make a first player marker to go with it using a toy bird and a base. I painted a wooden hexagon piece blue with acrylic paint and used superglue to fasten the plastic bird to the base.