4.5mm hook (labled G by Crystal brand) sport weight yarn--shown project used Red Heart Baby Soft stitch marker yarn needle to weave in ends

Gauge: 6 rows of 8 hdc = 2 inches Finished hat is size for a newborn, & stretches to 14", but when making baby stuff remember it's better to err on the large side.

Note: Hat is worked in a continuous spiral, without a joining slst. It is also worked from the bottom up.

Stitch note: HDC decl. is worked as followed: bring up a loop in each of next 2 sts; YO & draw hook through all 3lps, just like an HDC. (You can also use whatever your normal HDC decl. is if you do it differently, & yes I know this is essentially the same as an SC decl. in most patterns, but it makes a st the proper height that actually looks like an HDC.)

1) Hdc in first ch & in each additional ch. Place marker in final st (you'll move this up as you go along.) 54 HDC Note: If you find it easier, for this round alone, replace the first HDC with a ch-2; you won't be able to see a difference in the finished project.

2 - 7)HDC in each st around. 54 HDC

8) *HDC in each of 7 sts; HDC decl. over next 2 sts * around. 48 HDC

9) HDC in each st. 48 HDC

10) *HDC in each of 6 sts; HDC decl. over next 2 sts* around. 42 HDC

11) HDC in each st. 42 HDC

12) *HDC in each of 5 sts; HDC decl. over next 2 sts* around. 36 HDC

13) *HDC in each of 4 sts; HDC decl. over next 2 sts* around. 30 HDC

14) *HDC in each of 3 sts; HDC decl. over next 2 sts* around. 24 HDC

15) *HDC in each of 2 sts; HDC decl. over next 2 sts* around. 18 HDC

16) *HDC in one st; HDC decl. over next 2 sts* around. 12 HDC

17) HDC in each st. 12 HDC

18) HDC decl. over 2 sts around. 6HDC

19 - 22) HDC in each st around. 6 HDC

To finish: Draw up a loop in each st. YO & draw hook through all loops. Finish off.

Weave in ends.