Twitch & Stitch
Crochet hooks and knitting needles at the ready: craft a robin to help support Yorkshire’s wildlife
Help us create a wilder future…
This winter, we'll be celebrating one of Britain’s most cherished birds, the robin.
To help us 'make' this a special moment, we need creative crafters to knit or crochet at least 200 robins to decorate the Nature Discovery Centre at Potteric Carr nature reserve, Doncaster, ready for our very first Yorkshire Robin Festival this December.
Not only will your creation help to make the Centre merry and bright, it will also help to raise vital funds to support our work for Yorkshire's wildlife and wild places, as festival goers will be encouraged to donate and take a crafted companion home with them.
Why do you need my help?
Even the most familiar of species need our help, and with our gardens making up nearly 30% of the total urban area of Yorkshire, festival goers will discover how they can make a welcome home for robins and other feathered friends in their own yards and gardens. Play your part in making a difference today and get knitting and crocheting. Funds raised from our robin donations will go towards protecting Yorkshire’s precious wildlife as part of our Woodlands for the Future campaign.
How can I get involved?
Robins of various shapes and sizes are all welcome. You can choose to use a pattern of your own or follow one of the free patterns linked to below. You can make one or a whole blush of robins!
Your robin needs to be complete and delivered to Potteric Carr nature reserve by 4pm on Sunday 16th November ready decorate the Nature Discovery Centre for the festivities.
What do I do once I have finished my robin?
Once you’ve finished your robin attach your name and the village/town/city it was created and place it in a sealed bag/envelope and either drop-off at our Potteric Carr nature reserve or send in the post using the address: Potteric Carr Nature Reserve, Mallard Way, Doncaster, DN4 8DB. Enjoy a free cuppa* in the Nature Discovery Centre when dropping off your crochet or knitted robins so we can say ‘thank you’!
*One free mug of tea or Americano per person.
If you need help to get started, you can find some free patterns here:
Free crochet robin pattern:
Make a festive crochet robin in this free project
Free knitting robin pattern:
Robin by Jon Hawkins, Surrey Hills Photography
Robin Festival
Join us for the Robin Festival (6th-7th December) to spot your robin in the Nature Discovery Centre and take time to enjoy nature’s winter wonderland at Potteric Carr.
For more information about the Yorkshire Robin Festival please visit
Join us for a friendly Twitch and Stitch session at Potteric Carr!
Whether you’re a keen knitter, a crochet enthusiast, or just starting out, come along and enjoy a relaxed morning of creativity and conversation.
Our events programme is made possible thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery.