The nest is 23 cm (9 inches) in diameter and holds about a dozen eggs. Make one like it or adjust raffia amounts and coil an even bigger one for a brunch buffet or shape a tiny nest to place beside each plate.
Nest: Unwind natural raffia (2 or 3 handful-size bunches); align strands. Separate out a small bunch approx 2.5 cm (1 inch) thick, then thread a single strand through darning needle (pink line on diagram); with this strand, tie bunch together at one end. With tied end at centre, form flat coil for base of nest. stitching together at 1.5 to 5 cm (5/8- to 2-inch) intervals. (Add raffia as needed by lapping end of new bunch 5 cm over end of old bunch and secure with a stitch. When base is desired size, coil bunch up around edge, shaping and stitching sides to desired height. Knot stitch strand around end of coil.
Eggs: Use a white wax crayon to draw simple stripes, dots, squiggles, hearts, flowers or initials on cool hard-cooked or blown eggs. Mix food coloring solution as follows: To 125 mL (1/2 cup) of boiling water, add 5 mL (1 tsp) of white vinegar and liquid food coloring. Let cool to lukewarm. On a large spoon, hold each egg in solution until desired color is achieved, lift out and dry on wire rack.
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