I’ve included my notes which helped me figure out that face-my second elf turned out far better than the first.

I rated this medium because there were a few goofy rounds (the pattern says “Ready for something more challenging?” My answer was, “not really.” Overall though, this is a GREAT pattern, and looks even better than some out there that people are charging for. ♥
I used rounds (pattern doesn’t specifically say that) and used a stitch marker
My second elf turned out-and I have made a better attempt at the head as the directions say. There is a mistake, that threw me off the first time-I’ll post all my little tweaks here so it is easier for me (and possibly anyone else) to understand.

*Round 7:* (this will be the ear round-so make sure they are spaced correctly) when it says ch 9 it really means 9 sc-makes a bit of a difference. ;)
Round 8: sc around (folding up the ears and sc in the base of the ears-this will help keep them up) putting a 2dc cluster (in pattern this is a bobble)in the middle, this is the nose, so make sure it is even between ears
Round 9: sc around putting two 5dcCL (in pattern this is a bobble) for the cheeks-I did NOT dec as I did them like the pattern says because they looked weird that way to me.
Round 10: sc around putting a dec, sc, dec, in the front of the head and one more dec in the back of the head
Round 11: same as round 10, but with 2 dec in back of head

Second elf complete-as you can see in the first picture (the one without a beard)…If you follow the above directions that is how I did his face. :)

First elf (whose face turned out all sorts of wrongish but doable if you use a beard) directions below:
Here are my changes (although I am realizing NOW that the round 7 chaos with the bobble stitches was supposed to be cheeks-so I might actually bump up those features to rounds 5):
I used rounds (pattern doesn’t specifically say that) and used a stitch marker

For the head:
Round 7: ch 3, sc in 2nd chain from hook and next chain, sc in head (ear), sc in 3, ch 2 (nose), sc in head, sc in next 4 sc, ch 3, sc in 2nd chain from hook and next ch, sc in head, sc in remaining sc.
Round 8: sc around but when you get to the ears and nose fold those up and sc in the base of those stitches (so that they pop out)

Round 9: sc around