The hat feels quite snug, even after blocking, but I know it will grow with wear therefore not worried. The snugness makes it even warmer to wear.

Modifications
I did a tubular cast on and followed the pattern instructions until the tube measured 22 cm, folded the tube at the halfway point (11 cm), and knitted the cast on sts together with the live sts on the needle to make the first fold. Then I kept to the pattern instructions until the end. I prefer this method instead of sewing down the first fold by hand at the end of the pattern, which is much more fiddly, can become too tight and look uneven. Although uneven sewn stitches won’t show on the outside with this pattern, my inner perfectionist won’t allow it especially as I know there is a neater and easier method