a masculine pompom

so i found some grey yarn and wanted to make a hat. it was a nice chunky one that seemed to have a nice blue/white shimmer to it. so i picked up my handy size 10s and went crazy. i wanted to make a plain hat with just one cable on it. for a little pizzazz.

• CO: 69 st over three needles (23 each)
• 1: k23, k23, k19, p1, k2, p1
• 2: k23, k23, k19, p1, k2, p1
• 3: k23, k23, k19, p1, k2, p1
• 4: k23, k23, k19, p1, RTw, p1
• repeat 1-4: 9 times (36 rows)
• 37: *k11, k2tog, (repeat from * 5 times)p1, k2, p1
• 38: *k10, k2tog, (repeat from * 5 times)p1, k2, p1
• 39: *k9, k2tog, (repeat from * 5 times)p1, k2, p1
• 40: *k8, k2tog, (repeat from * 5 times)p1, RTw, p1
• 41: *k7, k2tog, (repeat from * 5 times)p1, k2, p1
• 42: *k6, k2tog, (repeat from * 5 times)p1, k2, p1
• 43: *k5, k2tog, (repeat from * 5 times)p1, k2, p1
• 44: *k4, k2tog, (repeat from * 5 times)p1, RTw, p1
• 45: *k3, k2tog, (repeat from * 5 times)p1, k2, p1
• 46: *k2, k2tog, (repeat from * 5 times)p1, k2, p1
• 47: *k1, k2tog, (repeat from * 5 times)p1, k2tog, p1
• close: thread tapestry needle and draw through all loops
• finish: add ridiculous pompom

i was a little unsure of the pompom. they are always ridiculous. but i had planned on wearing this hat with my stripey scarf, and wanted it to match better. the best route to this goal seemed to be through whimsy. what do we think?



and now for the ratings:

DIFFICULTY:
AWESOMENESS:

abbreviations:
RTw: K second st on left hand needle then K first st and slip both loops off together.