Modifications: Removed one star pattern repeat out of fear of it being too big but probably didn’t need to. Also knit the hat body first, then picked up and knit the earflaps later.
Final Verdict: Fun, but not my style. Passing it on to a friend if I can. I recommend going up a needle size when doing the color work.

History:

8.8.13
I realized I had twisted when joining in the round so it was all ripped back and I started over. I’d like to find a different way of casting on for the hat section.

8.12.13
Casted on about three times until I felt good about the direction. I took advice from this project and decided to knit the hat body as is and then pick up and knit the earflaps and i-cords at the end.
It might be the acrylic I’m working with, but I also cut out one repeat of the pattern/16 stitches since it was much too large. I have a total of six star repeats.
I do wish I upped the needle size for the colorwork section, like many others did. Overall, this is a pattern for me to try out colorwork knitting for the first time.

8.16.13
Can’t really say I’m happy with this hat. It’s mostly the yarn---I’m liking synthetics less and less. I finished the first earflap and today, hopefully, I’ll finish the second and the i-cords.

8.20.13
Except for weaving in the ends, it’s all done. Can’t say it’s my favorite project (actually I might pass it on to a friend.) But the goal was to practice colorwork like this and use up some of my synthetic yarns . So that alone makes it a success. Photos coming soon.