Yes, I see them now, but they are still not bad. My DH (who knits a bit and only made hats) wondered if it could have to do with needle changes on dpns near the top of the hat. If that could be a possibility you could try pulling tighter on the stitches when you change needles. It doesn’t look like you had any problem until you got near the very top, but it may get a little different feeling near the top. That is addressing the small holes that look like they are back the last couple of rounds.
I don’t know why when you ran the tail through the stitches and pulled, it would not close up snugly and satisfy you better. Here is how I finish the top of a hat. Whether I use dpns or 2 circulars… when I decide I’m done, I cut the yarn and thread the tail onto a tapestry needle. I don’t take the stitches off the needles, but begin to thread the needle and yarn tail into each stitch in the order I would have knit them had I done another row. After I have run the needle through a stitch I let it come off the end of the needle. You can do them one at a time, or several at once. When I have gone all the way around, I pull quite tightly on the tail to close up the top. Sometimes I do decide to run the tail back through all or part of the loops a second time, but you don’t have to do that. Then I pick a spot (I’m not very scientific about this part.) to take the yarn to the back side. Then I may pull a little more on the tail and then work it in so it will never get out. LOL That’s it.
I think your hat looks very nice though. Next time it will be even better. You’re doing very well.
