The pattern itself isn’t as hard as it looks, but it uses some stitches that are new to me, and could use some organization (and a few more details, just to rule out questions). If I ever do this again (and that’s a big if), I’ll probably deal with the three needle bind off, rather than grafting. Srsly. Although it may be easier with lighter colors (ya think?)

Copying each pattern line to a single wide line (instead of being split onto two lines) helps a great deal.

Noting what the center looks like after each of the 4 right side rows helped keep my place in the pattern as well.

After line 1 (and 2): Four main color stitches in the middle
After line 3: Two main color
After line 5: Four background color
After line 7: Two background color

EXCEPT WHERE OTHERWISE NOTED: All right side rows: main color knit, background color purl. All wrong side rows, main color purl, background color knit. Of course carry the floats on the wrong side.

Notes from shakeyourbooties’ project

CR (Cross Ribs) - the second stage of this decrease should read “Purl with BC … K2tog with MC … K2tog with MC … Purl with BC …”

Top of the Hat - Pick up the sts for the crown from the first purl stitch only, not between the last st of the i-cord and the first purl st

10/8 - Two repeats in, trying it out with my own yarn. Think I finally have it.

Starting with the yarn from azraela.

10/13 - 3.5 reps finished.
10/14 - 8 reps
10/15 - 13 reps
10/16 - finished the band. On to grafting :: gulp ::
10/19 - far too much brain power used on this grafting… First I knit a row in pattern in white, then in black, thinking that would help. Maybe it did. Then I grafted the main color stitches from the front, pressing our LED grill light into service.

Then on to the i-cord and background color… I ended up picking out both sets of extra rows, top and bottom, and putting the black stitches on needles so I could kitchener them (as if they were knit stitches) from the back. The pattern stitches did just fine (yay!), but the i-cord was a problem. Both sides. Too much black, really, and while I think I “got” it, they’re a bit bumpy.

10/20 - about half way through the crown. Easy peasy. Last two rounds done in main color only.
10/21 - done and off to azraela