Odessa

Aren't the beads pretty? They're called 'Candy Mix' and they come from G J Beads. I don't mind the bead-stringing part of knitting with beads - prolongs the excitement of casting on a new project!

The yarn is Rowan Soft Baby in Princess. I was fortunate that blueadt_knits very kindly sent me some yarn to try out (also a fab birthday present for BB) and the Odessa hat from Magknits seemed the perfect choice (I think Vanessa suggested this pattern in my comments a few posts ago).

I have to say that the yarn is a little like knitting with candyfloss, quite lightly spun and airy. It's very soft and kind to the skin though which is great. I think the colours of the beads lift the colour out of the realms of baby garments.

Apologies for the slight blurry-ness of the picture - I obviously need more practise taking pictures of moving objects! The hat has been very well received and I may well have to knit at least two other versions of the same pattern which is no hardship.

The BB is still at home as the chicken pox saga continues. We know that we have at least another two weeks at home together as the most recent case became 'spotty' this weekend - what a strange school-term it has been so far.

The hedgerows were being cut today so my husband presented me with a carrier bag full of quickly picked elderflowers. At present, they are submerged in water together with the zest of an orange and some lemons, waiting to be turned into elderflower cordial tomorrow. Sounds fragrant, doesn't it? Actually the sad truth is that it is rather stinky - I hope that will improve tomorrow!