Trick: Use an 8.5 x 11 piece of paper to measure both your ribbing and the finished hat. Fold it in thirds and knit the ribbing to that length. Knit the hat to just shy of the 8.5-inch edge.

I think I’ve perfected this hat using Malabrigo and knitting in the round. I can get 2 hats from one skein, but you’ll use every.last.inch.

CO 88 sts. and join into the round.
Work in 2x2 rib for 3.5 inches.
Increase to 96 sts. as follows: K10, kfb (repeat around)
Work in stockinette stitch until hat measures 8 inches.
Knit 24 sts. (this will put the beg. of the round at the back of the hat).
Turn the hat inside out.
Place sts on two dpns. (48 sts on each needle)
Bind off with 3-needle bind off, using a 3mm needle to bind off the middle 16 sts. which makes the “ears” stick out more.
Tack the ears down in the middle so they don’t flop over.
Make another hat.

I used the 4.5 mm needle for the whole hat.