Simple Preemie Hat (With Eyelets)

Sometimes I just want a mindless knit - and this hat managed to be that, with some little twists to keep it from being totally boring. First, there is a round of eyelets introduced into the ribbing section - you could thread a ribbon through these for extra oomph - and second, the decreases are done more gradually than usual in the hopes of creating a "conehead" effect. Otherwise, it's just knit knit knit all evening long!

Finished Size: 12in (30cm) circumference by 5in (12.5cm) height (flat)

Gauge: 20 stitches and 34 rows to 4in (10cm) in stockinette stitch in the round

Materials:
1 (partial) skein Lion Cotton-Ease (50% cotton; 50% acrylic) Lake Colorway [100g/3.5oz to 207yd/189m]
US 6 (4mm) double-pointed needles (or whatever style you use for knitting in the round)
Stitch markers: 1 of primary color; 7 additional contrasting
Yarn needle

Abbreviations:
K: Knit
K2tog: Knit two stitches together
P: Purl
Yo: Yarn over

Instructions:
Cast on 64 stitches.
Join for knitting in the round, being careful not to twist, and place primary marker to indicate beginning of round.
Round 1-4: (K2, p2) 16 times.
Round 5: (K1, yo, k1, p2) 16 times.
Round 6: (K2tog, k1, p2) 16 times.
Round 7-10: (K2, p2) 16 times.

Work in stockinette stitch (knit all stitches, all rounds) until hat measures 3in (7.5cm) from cast on edge (approx. 13 stockinette rounds).

Crown shaping:
Round1: (K8, place contrasting marker) seven times, k8.
Rounds 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17: (Knit to 2 before marker, k2tog) eight times.
Intermediary rounds: Knit all stitches. Note: there will be two rounds of all knit stitch between each decrease round.
Round 19: K2tog eight times (8 stitches remain).
Break yarn, leaving a long tail, and thread through remaining stitches. Drop stitches from needle(s) and pull tail tight to cinch hole closed.

Sew ends to inside of hat.