This pattern was very easy to follow and has nice texture. Love the suggested yarn!

I wanted a slouchier hat, so I added one increase round and one extra round after the increases. For the band, I did 3 rows and decreased a few stitches each round until the hat circumference was to my liking.

I started with an H hook as I almost always have have to go down a hook size to meet gauge. Not the case here. I used the suggested I hook, but probably should have gone up to J. This really never happens to be the case for me, as I crochet loose. So if you crochet tighter, you may have to go up a couple hook sizes to meet gauge.