Well, this was my first foray into stranded work. I thought I was pulling too tightly in that first striping so from there I loosened up - too much! My gauge went to heck. By the time I figured it out I was too far to want to go back, so I ended up with a “mushroom” style hat. :( Hope my sister still likes it! This does make me want to start straight over again to see if I could get it “right” next time around. I learned a ton and am glad I tried it out!