Today I’m popping in with more of a show and tell than a brand new pattern, because this cozy was made using my basic can cozy knitting pattern—available for free right here on my website!
What makes this cozy special is what I added after the knitting: an embroidered bird in honor of Draw a Picture of a Bird Day, a charming little holiday with a heartwarming backstory that I absolutely adore.
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What is Draw a Picture of a Bird Day?
Draw a Bird Day is celebrated every April 8th, and it began in the UK during the Second World War. The story goes that a young girl named Dorie Cooper visited her uncle, who had been wounded in the war and was recovering in the hospital. To cheer him up, she asked him to draw her a bird. He did—and she laughed, not because the drawing was bad, but because she was just being a cheeky little kid.
But something about that moment sparked joy—not only for her uncle but for the other patients as well. So the tradition continued, and every year on April 8th, people honor her memory by drawing (or painting, doodling, stitching—you get the idea) birds as a way to spread happiness and hope.
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My Bird-Inspired Cozy
Instead of drawing a bird with pencil or paint, I decided to embroider one onto my latest knitted can cozy. It’s a sweet little robin—because my name is Robin! I wanted to honor the day in a personal way and encourage others to do the same. If you’re looking for a quick creative project, why not knit a cozy and stitch your favorite bird onto it?
The cozy uses my basic knit-in-the-round pattern, which is perfect for customizing. Add your own flair with embroidery or duplicate stitch. A bird, a flower, a tiny sun—the possibilities are endless.
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A Robin and a Blackbird
The robin I stitched is meaningful for another reason too. I have a twin sister, and when we were very little, we were riding in the backseat while running errands with our mom and grandma. They kept pointing out all the robin birds they saw—“Look! Another Robin bird!”—which of course made little-me feel very special.
After a while, my mom noticed my sister Julie gazing out the window and asked her what she was looking for. Julie quietly replied, “Where are the Julie birds?” My mom and grandma didn’t miss a beat. They looked out the window, spotted a blackbird, and decided on the spot: Blackbirds are Julie birds! From then on, every time we saw a blackbird, we knew Julie had one too.
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Join the Fun
So today, I invite you to knit a cozy (or grab one you’ve already made) and add a little bird to it. It doesn’t have to be fancy or perfect. The whole spirit of Draw a Bird Day is rooted in kindness, joy, and creativity. Whether it’s a robin, a cardinal, a Julie bird, or a bird of your imagination—stitch it, share it, and celebrate.
If you make one, tag me on Instagram @creativeunicorncrafts so I can see your cozy bird creations!
Happy Draw a Bird Day, XOXO
-Robin
