Dave's hat progress

Well, really early January, in the "retroactive post, now that the gift's been given" category:
I've been working on the Hayden Hat in the blue, light blue and beige Encore that I bought a few weeks ago. I love the pattern, but the decreases have been tricky for me. Dave's hat was coming along a little too well... I knit an extra three inches, and then had to rip back. Here's a picture half way through the ripping spree:

and another once a few rows had been added to the carnage:


On the plus side, at least I'm ripping so that I can start decreases, so it won't take as long the second time around...