A master hat pattern, DebbieR asks. Here’s mine: Malabrigo Mecha, 70 stitches, 1×1 ribbing on size US 6, switch to US 7 and knit in stockinette for 39-41 rows. Decreasing at the top: knit 8, k2tog around. Knit a plain row. Knit 7, k2tog around. Plain row. Knit 6, k2tog around. Plain row. Knit 5, k2tog around. Sometimes I put a plain row here, sometimes not. Knit 4, k2tog around. K3, k2tog around. K2, k2tog around. K1, k2tog, around. K2tog around these last few stitches as you bind them off.
Quick, dense and warm, wool, washable, and very soft.
I’ve done a lot of these using just size 7 needles but it fits better with the little extra snugness around the face from the 6s. I’ve also made them simply using 6s the whole length.
Note that I am quite a loose knitter, one of the reasons my carry-arounds are hats rather than socks. Your gauge will likely vary, but whatever you make will fit someone who will be thrilled to have it.