I wanted a knit cap with bear ears on them for leftie. But in a neutral color (everything else she owns seems to be some shade of pink - despite my efforts to be otherwise). I like the idea of the chin strap because it acts as ear warmers and also secures the cap to the baby’s head. I wanted to add the button because I thought it made the hat look more vintage - maybe like a vintage toy hat? Something out of a scene from a Jean Genet movie. Or a drawing from the mind of the Black Apple. Or a sketch from my doppelganger’s manga. And so ko-guma was born.

When I have a well (enough) rested child and a sunnier day, I’ll take better photos.

Confession: I didn’t swatch. Of course I should have. I think I made the hat a bit too big. It should be snug-ger. And I always get impatient when knitting hats and decrease for the crown too soon. So the hat is a bit short and wide. I’ve considered ripping it and starting all over again (again). I’ve still got a bit of yarn left over in case I’m a little short. If I can succeed in knitting another hat for leftie before the end of this winter (I’ve got an image of it in my head so clearly) then this hat might be headed for the rip and re-knit pool. Standby for the latest.