Gauge? What's that?

I couldn't quite figure out how many stitches to cast on for this hat, since the yarn I was using was a lot thinner than the wool recommended for the pattern. (I got the Samoa cotton/acrylic blend yarn for $3 a ball at the Evanston sidewalk sale!)

So, now I have a toddler hat that fits me! I like the pattern, so I am probably going to keep going, but finish it like a normal hat, sans pom pom, so that an adult can wear it.

Here's what the hat is supposed to look like. Cute, right? I will have to try again and cast on less stitches. I like this book because I get to try out lots of different techniques!