Knitting Is Wallet Kryptonite

I'm usually pretty controlled about yarn purchases, but this last week has been a doozy on my wallet. I got some Cascade 220 for a sweater. If all goes well, it will become an Émilien by Ariane Caron-Lacoste. I'm already planning to modify the number of stripes and I want to have a button up, not a zip up.

This pair of Cascade Heritage is for a shawl idea I have. They will be paired with two additional colors. I realize the combo looks a little Dr. Seuss, but the actual shawl will be a bit more balanced.

I also picked up some Madelintosh sock in the Duchess color way for a sock idea I have. A sock idea I might want to release in October. First things first. I have to actually knit pair of socks that fit me.

Since I've gotten into socks, I also picked up sock blockers. I also got a magazine. Honestly, knitting magazines are my weakness. There wasn't any particular patterns that stood out to me. But I loved some of the photographs. Taking good knit pictures is difficult, so I like to collect good images for reference.

Tree Party

We have a family of raccoons living in our backyard.

There are three teenagers. But I haven't seen their mum or dad. They might be on their own.

It seems a bit odd that they would be awake during the day. It was late morning when I took these pictures.

I figure that if raccoon teenagers are anything like human teenagers, they stay up way past their bedtime.

They also fight like siblings. One of them stepped on another and there was an argument between the two. It was rather funny.

Sprig Hat

I was invited to do a little guest post over at Katie's blog, I Go By Katie, today. So you should all check it out. It involves a free pattern! EDIT - As of November 30th, 2011, this pattern is now a pay-for pattern.

The pattern happens to be a companion piece to the Sprig scarf, the Sprig hat.

To download a copy of the Sprig Hat, you can check out bear-ears.com, ravelry or go over to Katie's blog.

Catching Bugs With My Mouth

On June 6th, I went on my first ride with my new bike. It seems like I just decided not get off. I accumulated 168miles in my first month with the bike. It would have been more, but I got a little heat sick and decided to take a week off from being outside.

This past month of biking has taught me that there are several useful items worth having with you on a ride, such as:

1. Helmet (Safety first!)

2. Lock, if you plan on stopping. When I ride out and back I leave it. No need to lug a few extra pounds.

3. Water bottle.

4. Wallet/ Cellphone/ key combo. Bonus points if your keychain includes a bike themed bottle opener.

5. Garage door opener, which would only be useful if your bike lives in the garage.

6. CHAP STICK! I'm always sad when I forget it at home. I seem to lick my lips a lot when I ride.

7. A nifty bag that attaches to your bike to hold all your nifty items.

Bonus: Sunglasses. I was wearing them when I took the picture. They are great for keeping bugs out of your eyes. Not your mouth though. And if you're like me, you forget your mouth is open and choke on a bug or two during your ride.

Independence Day The Musical

Happy 4th of July! I hadn't planned on blogging about it, but then this video showed up on my facebook feed. It was too good not to share.

Mum and Dad, this is funny because it's a parody of this particular song/ video combo.

My Fourth Time

Today I donated my hair. It's the fourth time I've done it, and it feels great every time.

I'd like to encourage anyone who has been thinking donating to go ahead and do it. There are several places that accept hair donations. The last three times I've donated, I sent my hair to Locks Of Love. They require 10 inches and the wigs go primarily to sufferers of Alopecia. This time around I'll be sending my hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. They require a minimum of 8 inches of hair and send the wigs to the American Cancer Society wig banks. (There has been a little controversy with Locks of Love as of late, so I was more inspired to send my hair to Beautiful Lengths this time around)

To help make the trip to the stylist go a bit smoother, there are a few things to bring along:

1. A plastic bag to hold the cut hair.

2. Extra hair ties to tie the hair. The donation can't be accepted if it is not in a ponytail or braid.

3. A ruler. Hair salons do not tend to have rulers. It's much easier if you bring your own, just to be sure you donate the right length.

4. You might consider bringing a couple photos of possible hair styles. I've started to bring pictures of myself with short hair.

Blue Footed Booby Hat

The Blue Footed Booby Hat is now available! You can get a copy of the pattern on bear-ear.com or on ravelry. From July 1st to September 8th, all profits from the blue footed booby hat pattern will go towards Kenna's fundraising efforts for her walk in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day For The Cure.

If you are interested in supporting Kenna as she walks for her Mum, you can check out her Fundraising Page. She will be walking as a Blue Footed Booby (complete with blue shoes!)

The hat also comes in baby sizing.

For all those blue footed booby babies in your life.