Started Dec 12/12: I am working this one from the top down.
Note: CAST ON MORE THAN SIX STITCHES! Otherwise the top looks peaked and it needs fixing!

UPDATE: DEC 14: I frogged the inch or so I had. I did not like the peak it had. I’m going to follow a wise woman’s advice and stick to what I know.

UPDATE DEC 16/11: Cast on 100 stitches, starting at the brim. K2, P2 band that went for 1”, then switched to plain knitting. I like the way it’s shaping up. The hard part is not starting the red tics too soon. My plan is to have a row of red tics, then black background for three rows or so, then orange tics, then black again for three rows, then yellow tics, then another three rows of background color, finally white tics.

UPDATE: Dec 18/2011 : 4 1/2” done, pictures are from this morning. The “tics” and orange blobs are representative of stars; in case you were wondering.

UPDATE: Jan 10/2012: All that is left to do tonight is to sew up the top and sew in all the ends of the colored yarn, then it’s DONE! I’m pleased with it. I only hope my brother’s head is the same size as my head model (my son), but I’m pretty sure they’re close.

UPDATE: FINISHED! Weaving colored ends in now, I’ll take pictures on my model this afternoon.

I learned something from this hat, about how to make “tics”, and not be afraid of color.
It was a joy to knit.