What's wrong with this picture?

I plan on posting again later today, so it's bonus post Sunday.

Here's the hat that is causing me so much aggravation. Donna asked for pictures in trying to diagnose the tight stitches problems. I don't know that photos are going to be helpful. The best way I can describe what's happening is that the stitches on the left needle don't want to move up to be knitted and slipped off. The part of the WIP at the base of the needle has a tendency to curl when I push vigorously on the stitches to get them in a workable position. Wrapping with less tension does not seem to have remedied the problem.

More tonight...