Crafting for a cause – Nests for rescued Aussie wildlife

For weeks, Australia has been ravaged by bush fires that have destroyed homes and habitats, and displaced many people and animals. Australia’s iconic wildlife have been particularly hard-hit, and rescue centers have put out a call for custom-made nests, pouches, and blankets to protect the most vulnerable animal babies caught in the fires.

Crafters around the world have been using their skills to make and send these articles where they’re most needed. A small crafty group where I live in Korea is contributing, too.

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My jam is crochet, particularly amigurumi and toy making, so these tiny nests were a natural choice for me. They use the same single crochet spiral technique used in amigurumi.

They’re a cinch to make. I cranked out four of them this morning, using acrylic and wool scrap yarn. I can’t think of a more worthy purpose for my box of scraps, now crafted into cozy little beds that can assist in preserving the tiniest life.

The nests range in size from just 4 cm, small enough for a baby hummingbird, to a size big enough to accommodate a litter of baby bunnies.

My other projects can finish a bit more slowly. I’ll continue to make a couple each day until next week, when I meet my fellow art and craft nerds to pack a box bound for the Land Down Under.

If you would like more information about this project, visit the Animal Rescue Craft Guild on Facebook. You will find files containing all the sewing, knitting, and crochet patterns for animal nests and pouches.

Below is a list of rescue centers near large fire areas, where articles may be shipped: