One thing I love about knitting is its adaptability. Sweaters, socks, mittens, hats, and scarves can be knit bottoms up, top down, sideways, upside down, this way and that way. It is beautiful that knitting permits us to have options for how we want to work our projects. Usually when I begin a hat, I begin with the ribbing followed by the body then work decreases. Always bottoms up, while I daydream about taking it in a new direction.

That is where this hat comes in; begins at the top on double pointed needles, increase out, work the body, decrease for some shaping, and add on the sideways garter stitch border. I had first learned of the sideways garter stitch border via the infamous Elizabeth Zimmermann and have been anxious to try it out myself. I shall warn you that it is addicting and very easy!

This hat is also named after the Citizen Cope song Sideways which my man says reminds him of me…..aawwwe