Emerald Giftie Slouchie Beanie

I can't begin to tell you how happy my new hat* makes me.........I knitted it!  I first saw this pattern here (and loved it) and then here (and loved it even more).  

I somewhat naively thought that I'd be able to make it fairly easily, or at least without too much of a struggle.  Kat  described it as 'quick fix knitting, nothing that required brainpower or much time'.  But, of course, I very quickly remembered that she is an expert and I am undoubtedly a beginner.

I had to frog back to the beginning several times and then back a few rows several more times (does everyone else find frogging easy?  it seems to me to be very tedious and yet nerve wracking at the same time). I think now though (and very much hope) that I have fathomed the steps that were causing me such trouble.

I really would like to make another as soon as possible but have a number of other projects, which are rather less quick (even with the learning curve) than this was, that I really should make more progress on first.  This is the yarn I'd like to use next.........relatives and friends willing to be gifted a Giftie Slouchie Beanie please do let me know!

I've posted all the details of yarn etc on ravelry.  I haven't really used ravelry to it's full potential so far.  I do have a list of favourite projects which is long enough, as well as being completely unrealistic in terms of skill level, to keep me going for many many years.  I haven't felt that my previous projects have merited 'Project' status on ravelry but, for me, this one makes the grade and it was very satisfying to create a project page for it.

 * I really can't work out how people take successful selfies of the clothes and knits they make....it looks so effortless, but I guess it isn't and probably that is part of my problem - I try to do it quickly when Miss Kitty Cat is asleep, not when there's time (there never is in my life) to set up a proper backdrop, wear co-ordinating clothes and wait for good light.  Any tips?!