Improvised pattern. Used double strand of yarn throughout. Started off with size 9 needles and used size 10 when stranding as my knitting gets really tight when stranding. Note to self…try a different cast on when joining ear flaps. Backward loop cast on was pretty loose and floppy even though I redid it 3 times and thought I was casting on very tight. Or, use smaller needle to cast on. I hid the looseness with the crochet boarder. Yarn is very soft and looks great even though I frogged many times experimenting with the design. Jude tried on the hat to see what he wanted on the top (braid type tassle, pompon, or just plain). He chose a pompon. However, I made one rather “loose” as I feel it suits this design much better than a really full, stiff pompon. Plus, it’s more manly. Yarn is VERY SOFT and warm. I will, however, line it since I don’t like the stranded yarns on the inside unprotected. Saw a youtube video where you line with an inexpensive fleece beanie cap you can find anywhere……genius! May end up doing that if I find one, otherwise the lining won’t be too hard to manage with just fabric. Colors are more accurate in picture with model looking very unhappy. It was cold and windy and, of course, he didn’t have a coat on! He also is modeling the hat way up on his head rather than pulled down to keep warm…..kids! :) Last picture is in early morning light and the colors are more accurate. I haven’t blocked the hat yet. The Malabrigo yarn knits up so well that it really doesn’t need to be blocked. However, I probably will block it…..cause I just HAVE to or it will drive me crazy.