I’m not a very experienced crocheter, but I love to try new things all the time.
I found this pattern, and tried following it as described in the site. I just couldn’t. Maybe it was too complicated for someone like me. The hat that came out was too big for anyone: male or female. So I switched to following graphs ( I have attached a couple in the images), where a chain 3 is a necessity at the beginning of each row.
My version starts with 14 double crochets instead of 16.
The most important observation I can make regarding this pattern is that one MUST keep the 3 chain stitches at the beginning of the row RIGHT BEFORE THE FIRST FRONT POST DOUBLE CROCHET, or else you lose the spiral effect.

Finally, I am proud to say that I have finished one more pattern, I used to consider ‘prohibitively difficult patterns’ . Now for something new.