Decoy Wasp Nest Pattern
Decoy Wasp Nest
Super quick & easy decoy nest — hang it up and wasps think the spot is already taken, so they go bother someone else instead. Works surprisingly well!
Materials
Yarn: 4-weight (worsted/aran) acrylic yarn in gray, beige, or natural “paper” colors (approx. 100–150g)
Hook: 5 mm
Stitch marker
Darning needle
Scissors
Plastic shopping bags (3–4 per nest for crinkly stuffing)
Abbreviations & Special Stitches
ch – chain
st – stitch
sl st – slip stitch
dc – double crochet
hdc – half double crochet
IncDc – Increase Double Crochet (2 dc in the same stitch)
DecDc – Decrease Double Crochet (dc2tog)
DecHdc – Decrease Half Double Crochet (hdc2tog)
BLO – Back Loop Only
3rd Loop – The horizontal loop on the back of an hdc stitch (below the back loop)
Magic Ring (MR): Create a loop, work stitches into it, then pull the tail to close.
Repeat Example:
2 dc, IncDc → Work 2 double crochets into the next two stitches, then 2 dc into the following stitch (IncDc). Each repeat uses 3 stitches and produces 4 stitches.
Notes
Worked in the round. Do not turn.
The beginning ch 3 counts as the first dc. The beginning ch 2 counts as the first hdc.
Work in BLO unless otherwise noted.
The 3rd-loop rounds create the textured “paper nest” ridges.
Round 1: Start with a magic ring, leaving a 4–5” tail.
Ch 3 (counts as first dc), work 11 dc into the ring. Sl st into the top of the ch 3 to join. Pull the magic ring tail to tighten. (12 dc)
Round 2: Ch 3. In the same stitch (BLO): dc. Work IncDc in each stitch around. Sl st into the top of the ch 3 to join. (24 dc)
Round 3: Ch 3. BLO IncDc in the next stitch. Dc, IncDc repeat around. Sl st into the top of the ch 3 to join. (36 dc)
Pull the magic ring tail through to the right side of your work (this will become the hanging loop later).
Round 4: Ch 3. BLO dc in the same stitch. 2 dc, IncDc repeat around until the last 2 stitches. Dc in the last 2 stitches. Sl st into the top of the ch 3 to join. (48 dc)
Round 5: Ch 2. BLO hdc in each stitch around. Sl st into the top of the ch 2 to join. (48 hdc)
Round 6: Repeat Round 5. (48 hdc)
Round 7: Ch 3. Dc in the 3rd loop of each hdc from Round 6 around. Sl st into the top of the ch 3 to join. (48 dc)
Round 8: Ch 3. BLO DecDc. 4 dc, DecDc repeat around until the last 3 stitches. Dc in the last 3 stitches. Sl st into the top of the ch 3 to join. (40 dc)
Round 9: Ch 2. BLO hdc in each stitch around. Sl st into the top of the ch 2 to join. (40 hdc)
Round 10: Ch 3. Dc in the 3rd loop of each hdc from Round 9 around. Sl st into the top of the ch 3 to join. (40 dc)
Round 11: Ch 3. BLO DecDc. 4 dc, DecDc repeat around until the last 3 stitches: DecDc, dc, dc. Sl st into the top of the ch 3 to join. (33 dc)
Stuff lightly with 1–2 plastic bags (crumple them for texture).
Round 12: Ch 3. BLO DecDc. 4 dc, DecDc repeat around until the last 2 stitches: DecDc. Sl st into the top of the ch 3 to join. (27 dc)
Round 13: Ch 2. BLO DecHdc. 4 hdc, DecHdc repeat around until the last 2 stitches: DecHdc. Sl st into the top of the ch 2 to join. (22 hdc)
Add another plastic bag.
Round 14: Ch 3. Dc in the 3rd loop of each hdc from Round 13 around. Sl st into the top of the ch 3 to join. (22 dc)
Final stuffing with one more plastic bag.
Round 15: Ch 3. BLO DecDc. 4 dc, DecDc repeat around until the last 3 stitches: DecDc, dc, dc. Sl st into the top of the ch 3 to join. (18 dc)
Round 16: Ch 2. BLO DecHdc in each stitch around until the last stitch: hdc in the last stitch. Sl st into the top of the ch 2 to join. (10 stitches)
Finishing
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail.
Weave the tail through the front loops of the remaining 10 stitches like a drawstring. Pull tight to close the bottom. Weave in the end securely.
Hanging Loop:
Use the magic ring tail you pulled to the right side earlier. Pull it through one of the stitches on Round 1 with your hook. Adjust to your desired loop length, tie a secure knot, and weave in the end.
