I had so many problems with this project!!! For starters, I had the same issue someone else had with misreading the pattern and ending up with a seed stitch vs a 1x1 ribbing so I had to start over a couple times. A more fool-proof version might be:
row 1 - k1, kp, kp, kp, kp, kp, kp, k2
row 2 - p2, kp, kp, kp, kp, kp, kp, p1

Also, just as someone else mentioned, when working the cable row for the twist, I did not end up with the same/correct sequence of stitches. Up until that point, I had been able to just read my knitting (see a knit & knit, see a pearl & pearl), but when working the cable row, I ended up with k3, pk, pk, p2, kp, kp, k2, which meant it did not return to the 1x1 ribbing. I chose to rip back to the row before the cable and do it again in sequence or in the same pattern instead of “as they appear” like the directions stated. It showed up a little bit wonky on the wrong side, but it was the only way that made sense to me.

Another problem I had was the length. My head measures 22” and the yarn I used didn’t have more than 2” of stretch so I had to extend the second half well beyond 8”. In hindsight I should’ve thought to make the first piece at least 10-12” based on the size of my head in order to make the whole piece more symmetrical. Instead I ended up with one half 8” and the other half closer to 13” so the seam is not centered in the back.

Lastly, I chose to start with a provisional cast on instead of using the long tail method as stated in the pattern instructions. I figured I could just Kitchener stitch the end and wind up with a nearly invisible seam. WRONG! It is very visible and very not cute :( Unfortunately I just could not find a tutorial about joining live stitches with 1x1 ribbing. I did find one for grafting 2x2 ribbing here (https://youtu.be/wb5nfkgZ-Kc), but I’m just not smart enough to modify it and really I didn’t have time to even try.

The yarn was beautiful and soft, but unraveled easily. In the end I felt like I was trying to weave in super long strands of cabbage patch hair! I just know I never would have been able to successfully start or complete this project without loads of help from my wonderful mentors, Angela & Nancy, who were kind enough to walk me through all of my confusion.