I changed the pattern to be knitted in the round.
Cast on 80 sts, increased to 96 after the ribbing and eliminated the first and last knit stitch in each pattern row as they are added for the seam. And of course I changed purl to knit in the wrong side rows as all rows are right side when knitting in the round.
I also completed three pattern repeats (24 rows) before starting on the crown shaping.
This is just a soft hint of a cable, perfect to show off the yarn without making the knitting too boring.