Free Crochet Pattern – Wasp Nest Decoy

This crochet wasp nest decoy is a quick, practical garden project for anyone who loves useful handmade makes. It uses simple shaping, basic stitches, and neutral yarn to create a faux hanging nest that can be displayed under a porch, pergola, shed, or patio area.

It is a great project for leftover yarn and a clever handmade item to make before outdoor entertaining season begins.

Get more details about this project

What you need

Worsted weight acrylic yarn in beige, tan, grey, oatmeal, mushroom, or light brown

5mm crochet hook

Stitch marker

Yarn needle

Scissors

Polyester stuffing, yarn scraps, or lightweight recycled plastic bags

Optional darker yarn for surface striping

Yarn, twine, or fishing line for hanging

Skill Level

Easy / confident beginner

Finished Size

Approx. 7–9 inches tall, depending on yarn, hook size, and stuffing.

 

Instructions

Abbreviations – US Terms

• MR – magic ring
• ch – chain
• sl st – slip stitch
• sc – single crochet
• hdc – half double crochet
• inc – increase, work 2 stitches into the same stitch
• dec – decrease, crochet 2 stitches together
• BLO – back loop only
• st/sts – stitch/stitches

Pattern Notes

This pattern is worked in continuous rounds. Do not join at the end of each round unless instructed.

Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round.

The back-loop-only rounds create subtle raised ridges, giving the decoy a more natural paper-nest look.

Stuff the nest lightly as you work. It should hold its shape but still look slightly organic rather than perfectly round and firm.

Crochet Wasp Nest Decoy Pattern

Skill Level: Easy
Finished Size: Approximately 7–9 inches tall
Terms: US crochet terms
Construction: Worked from the top down in continuous rounds

Materials

Worsted weight acrylic yarn in beige, taupe, oatmeal, mushroom, grey, or light brown
5 mm crochet hook, or hook size needed to create a firm fabric
Stitch marker
Yarn needle
Scissors
Polyester stuffing, yarn scraps, or lightweight recycled plastic bags
Optional darker neutral yarn for uneven surface striping
Optional twine, fishing line, or doubled yarn for a stronger hanging loop

Yarn Notes

Acrylic yarn is a practical choice for this project because it is inexpensive, lightweight, and more suitable for semi-sheltered outdoor display than wool.

Heathered, marled, or lightly variegated neutral yarn works especially well because it gives the finished nest a more natural paper-like texture. Think oatmeal, mushroom, grey-brown, soft taupe, or those odd neutral skeins hiding at the back of the yarn stash that never quite matched anything else.

If your crochet wasp nest decoy will be displayed outside, hang it under cover rather than directly in the rain. If it becomes damp, bring it inside and allow it to dry fully before rehanging.

Gauge

Gauge is not critical for this project, but the stitches should be firm enough that the stuffing does not show through.

If your fabric feels loose or floppy, go down a hook size.

Pattern Notes

Work in continuous rounds unless otherwise stated.

Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round and move it up as you work.

Back-loop-only rounds create the raised horizontal ridges that give the decoy its layered paper-nest appearance.

Stuff the nest lightly as you go. A slightly uneven, organic shape looks more realistic than a perfectly firm ball.

The entrance hole is added after the main nest body is finished. It is optional, but it gives the decoy a more realistic look.

Abbreviations

MR = magic ring
ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
inc = increase, work 2 stitches into the same stitch
dec = decrease, crochet 2 stitches together
BLO = back loop only
st/sts = stitch/stitches

Main Nest Body

Top and Upper Shaping

Round 1: Work 6 sc into MR. (6)

Round 2: Inc in each st around. (12)

Round 3: Sc in next st, inc in next st, repeat around. (18)

Round 4: Working in BLO, sc around. (18)

Round 5: Sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st, repeat around. (24)

Round 6: Working in BLO, hdc around. (24)

Round 7: Hdc in next 3 sts, inc in next st, repeat around. (30)

Round 8: Working in BLO, hdc around. (30)

Round 9: Hdc in next 4 sts, inc in next st, repeat around. (36)

Round 10: Working in BLO, hdc around. (36)

Round 11: Hdc in next 5 sts, inc in next st, repeat around. (42)

Round 12: Working in BLO, hdc around. (42)

Round 13: Hdc in next 6 sts, inc in next st, repeat around. (48)

Round 14: Working in BLO, hdc around. (48)

Widest Section

Round 15: Hdc around. (48)

Round 16: Working in BLO, hdc around. (48)

Round 17: Hdc around. (48)

Round 18: Working in BLO, hdc around. (48)

Begin stuffing lightly. Keep the shape softly rounded and slightly uneven for a natural handmade finish.

Lower Taper

Round 19: Hdc in next 6 sts, dec, repeat around. (42)

Round 20: Working in BLO, hdc around. (42)

Round 21: Hdc in next 5 sts, dec, repeat around. (36)

Round 22: Working in BLO, hdc around. (36)

Round 23: Hdc in next 4 sts, dec, repeat around. (30)

Round 24: Working in BLO, hdc around. (30)

Round 25: Hdc in next 3 sts, dec, repeat around. (24)

Add more stuffing now, shaping the piece into a tapered oval.

Round 26: Working in BLO, hdc around. (24)

Round 27: Hdc in next 2 sts, dec, repeat around. (18)

Round 28: Hdc around. (18)

Round 29: Hdc in next st, dec, repeat around. (12)

Round 30: Dec around. (6)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Thread the tail through the front loops of the remaining stitches, pull closed, and weave in securely.

Hanging Loop

Join yarn at the top centre of the nest.

Ch 25–30, depending on how long you want the loop.

Sl st back into the same top stitch to form a loop.

Fasten off and weave in the ends securely.

For a stronger outdoor hanger, thread garden twine, clear fishing line, or doubled yarn through the top of the nest instead.

Optional Entrance Hole

The small side opening gives the crochet wasp nest decoy a more realistic look, a bit like the entrance hole you would see on a natural paper nest. This part is optional, so you can leave the nest closed if you prefer a simpler finish.

Choose a spot on the lower front or lower side of the nest, about one third of the way up from the bottom.

Use your fingers to gently part the stitches and mark a small circle about 1–1.25 inches wide. You are not cutting into the crochet fabric. You are simply working around the existing stitches to create the look of an opening.

Join yarn with a sl st around one stitch at the edge of the marked opening.

Work 18–24 sc evenly around the opening, depending on the size of the hole. Join with a sl st to the first sc.

Work one more round of sc around the opening to create a thicker rolled rim.

Fasten off and weave in the ends securely.

Do not worry about making the hole perfectly round. A slightly uneven opening looks more natural than a neat little circle, and nature is rarely that tidy anyway.

Tip: If the opening looks too flat, gently pinch and shape the rim with your fingers after weaving in the ends. You can also use a slightly darker yarn around the hole to create more shadow and depth.

Optional Surface Striping

To create a more realistic paper-nest effect, thread a yarn needle with darker neutral yarn and weave a few loose, uneven lines around the nest.

Follow the raised ridges, but do not make the lines too straight or perfect. Natural wasp nests have irregular layers, so little wobbles and uneven colour changes actually help.

You can also surface crochet a few uneven slip-stitch lines around the body if you prefer a more textured finish.

Where To Hang Your Crochet Wasp Nest Decoy

Hang your faux wasp nest in a sheltered place where it is visible but protected from heavy rain.

Good places to try include:

Under porch eaves
Near a patio table
Under a pergola
Beside a garden shed
Near a balcony seating area
Near a potting bench
Close to a chicken coop or outdoor storage area

For best results, hang the decoy early in the warm season before wasps have chosen a nesting site. Once an active nest is already established, a decoy is unlikely to make wasps move away.

Using Your Crochet Wasp Nest Decoy

Check the decoy every few weeks during the warmer months.

If it becomes flat, faded, soggy, or misshapen, refresh the stuffing or make a new one. This is a quick stash-busting crochet project, so it is easy enough to make a couple for different spots around the garden.

If you enjoy practical outdoor DIY ideas, this project pairs nicely with other chemical-free garden crafts and recycled garden projects. It is also a good one for using up neutral yarn scraps that are not quite exciting enough for a blanket but are perfect for something rustic and useful.

Important Safety Note

This crochet wasp nest decoy is intended as a preventative handmade garden project only. It is not a guaranteed pest-control product and should not be used to deal with an active wasp nest.

Never disturb, spray, knock down, or attempt to remove an active wasp nest yourself, especially near doorways, rooflines, children, pets, or high-traffic outdoor areas.

If you already have an active nest, contact a professional pest-control service.

Troubleshooting

My nest looks too round.
Use less stuffing next time and shape it gently with your hands as you close the final rounds. A slightly tapered oval shape looks more natural.

My stuffing shows through.
Use a smaller hook or firmer tension so the crochet fabric is denser.

My decoy is too small.
Use bulky yarn and a larger hook, or add 2–4 plain rounds at the widest section before beginning the lower taper.

My decoy is too large.
Use DK yarn and a smaller hook, or stop increasing at 42 stitches instead of 48.

My entrance hole looks too neat.
Gently shape it with your fingers and add a few darker stitches around the rim for shadow. A slightly imperfect opening looks better than a perfect one.