My first baby hat project. I used 10.5 needles instead of the pattern’s recommended 11. Also, I decreased much more quickly to get a smaller, newborn sizing. I used 100% cotton so it would wash and shrink as well -- so it would be soft and fit nicely for a newborn just coming home from the hospital. I messed up the stripes on accident but loved it as-is and also - new earflaps for me -- this time. For my toddler, I’ll be putting those on for sure. Hubby already requested his own! I’d like to make some newborn mitts, too, but that may be a bit much before tomorrow night when I must gift it!