The basic hat is just a standard beanie (and you can use any of your favorite hat patterns, I just used the one that works for my head, and yes I did include it with the pattern). The yarn amount is a guesstimate, I did not use a full skein for the cream and that is the yarn you use the most on. Gauge doesn’t really matter when making the embellishments-when in doubt, crochet those tighter because they’ll stand up better.