June 2014

Have you heard of Brazillian artist Paulo Ito? He’s currently the most-talked about artist in Brazil right now, as well as any country that has a large soccer following.

As you may or may not have heard, Brazil is hosting the 2014 World Cup. While the task of hosting the tournament is often taken on with pride, the cost of the event has left many Brazillins feeling uneasy about whether the country is up to it. Ito’s mural sums up these worries harshly, but truthfully:

With 25 percent of Brazil’s population living under the poverty line, meaning approximately 50 million, are in the same boat as the child in the image- unable to afford food. Ito’s emotionally charged mural has since gone viral, with many viewers weighing in their own opinions on the image.

No matter your views on street art, the mural has certainly accomplished what it has set out to do- start a conversation on an important issue that needs to be talked about. What do you think of Ito’s mural?

Photo credit: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/brazil/140522/world-cup-2014-paulo-ito-street-art-sao-paulo

Father’s Day is soon- this weekend in fact! In honor of the dads of the world (and any dude who rocks cool knitwear!) here’s a roundup of some of our favorite knitting patterns for guys!

This men’s cabled hat pattern by Shana from Needyl will keep the wearer nice and cozy for the winter. It’s an easy pattern, great for practicing cabling, and great for dad! Get the pattern here: http://www.allfreeknitting.com/Mens-Knit-Hats/mens-cabled-hat-pattern

If you want to tackle something more ambitious, this Aran cardigan, aptly named the Dad’s cardigan, would be a good bet. The look is classic, but the intricate details make it special. Try it out:
http://www.yarnspirations.com/pattern/knitting/dads-cardigan

If your dad is more fashion-forward, try a more unique project- like this knit tie by Vickie Howell. It’s an easy project that definitely makes a statement. Check it out:
http://www.yarnspirations.com/pattern/knitting/family-ties-skinny-tie