New Baby Beanie

I have several friends and family members who will be having babies this fall, so I'm on a baby knits kick.  I've also been enthralled with crochet for the last few weeks, so technically, I'm on a baby crochet kick.  I wanted to crochet a little beanie that a baby could wear home from the hospital and, because all things for newborns are sort of ridiculous, I wanted to use the hand-washable DK Silky Cashmere.

I was unable to find a pattern for a newborn hat that was sufficiently gender neutral and worked with our DK Silky Cashmere, so I decided to figure out a pattern myself.  This is my first crochet pattern I've ever made up, and probably only the fourth or fifth thing I've ever crocheted, so bear with me, as I'm not totally sure what I'm doing.

1/2 skein Sundara Yarn DK Silky Cashmere, color shown is "Spring Fresh" (which is no longer available.)

3.5mm crochet hook

gauge:  22 stitches per 4 inches and 18 rows per 4 inches

Mark the beginning of each round with a stitch marker, moving the marker each round.

HDC = Half Double Crochet

Chain 4 stitches, join into a circle with a slip stitch.

Round 1) HDC in each chain stitch. (4 stitches)

Round 2) 2 HDC in each stitch. (8 stitches)

Round 3) 2 HDC in each stitch. (16 stitches)

Round 4) 2 HDC in first stitch, [HDC in next stitch, 2 HDC in following stitch]. (24 stitches)

Round 5) 2 HDC in first stitch, [HDC in next 2 stitches, 2 HDC in following stitch]. (32 stitches)

Round 6) 2 HDC in first stitch, [HDC in next 3 stitches, 2 HDC in following stitch]. (40 stitches)

Round 7) 2 HDC in first stitch, [HDC in next 4 stitches, 2 HDC in following stitch]. (48 stitches)

Round 8) 2 HDC in first stitch, [HDC in next 5 stitches, 2 HDC in following stitch]. (56 stitches)

Round 9) 2 HDC in first stitch, [HDC in next 6 stitches, 2 HDC in following stitch]. (64 stitches)

Round 10) 2 HDC in first stitch, [HDC in next 7 stitches, 2 HDC in following stitch]. (72 stitches)

For all subsequent rounds, HDC in each stitch.  Continue until hat measures 5 inches from top to bottom edge.

Join first and last stitch in final round with a slip stitch.  Weave in ends.

I did not wash or block my hat.