button pondering

I'm working on a neckwarmer which was too small to go over the head so I'm adding buttons on. I havent quite figured out how I'm going to make the holes strong enough.

Checked Knit Hat

When I started the hat, I had over estimated the size of the person's head. 88st is an extra large hat, 68 still knitted a little long for my small head, so I hope it fits the intended head better.
Materials:
Size 9 US (5.5 mm)16" circular kneedles
Size 9 US double points
1 ball Medium-Worsted Weight Yarn(Loops & Thread: Impeccable)
Crochet hook for finishing

Gauge:
16 sts = 4 inches

Size
Adult Med (adjust for size)

Instructions
CO 68 stitches (add multiples of 4 for sizing).
Join, mark beg of round.<I used a small piece of contrasting yarn since it was around and my stitch markers were not>
*k2, p2* around for 6 rows


Checker Pattern
Set A: *p2, k2* for 3 rows
Set B: *k2, p2* for 3 rows
Work pattern until about 5 inches, or 5.25-5.5" for larger head sizes before you begin the decreasing.
End after completing either set.

Dec #1
*k2,p2* for set-up row placing markers after 18, 16, 18, 16
Decrease at the beginning of each grouping by either k2tog or p2tog
K the  K and P the P
complete alternating set


Dec #2
Begin alternating set. Decrease on 2 & 3 st together either k2tog or p2tog
K the k and P the p for 1 row


Continual decs
Maintaining 3 row pattern Dec the following groupings st together
complete an pattern row
Repeat last 2 rows 4 times
The 5th repeat decrease the extra set as well making all singular K or P sets (34 remaining)
<in my pattern I will knit the 2nd row in pattern set B>
*k2tog, k1, p2tog, p1* until last 4 st, k2tog, p2tog
*k2tog, p2* until last 2 st, k2tog
*k2tog, p2tog*


Using crochet hook, pull yarn through remaining 8st and BO.
Tie in ends. 

cable break

After knitting 5 cabled hats I'm tired of cables. I find them challenging and beautiful. Finally, I purchased a 16" No. 9  bamboo circular needles. Now, I'm knitting up a hat in the check st. How I'm going to decrease while maintaining the pattern will be a challenge.

Slightly Slouchy Cabled Hat

About the Slight Slouchy Cabled Hat:

I tried to make this a slouchy hat, but it didn't quite turn out as slouchy as I anticipated.

Materials I used:
-LB Jiffy yarn (color: 181 Country Green); less than 1 ball/135 yards
-US size 10 dpn

Instructions:

CO 60 stitches
row 1-6: *K2,P2*
row 7: *K1, KFB, P2* [75 st total]
row 8: *KFB, K2, P2* [90 st total]

row 9-10: *K4, P2*
row 11: *C4B, P2*

Set 1
row 1-4: *K4, P2*                  row 5: *C4B, P2*
Set 2

row 1-4: *K4, P2*                  row 5: *C4B, P2*

Set 3

row 1-4: *K4, P2*                  row 5: *C4B, P2*

Set4

row 1-4: *K4, P2*                  row 5: *C4B, P2*

Set 5
row 1-4: *K4, P2*                  row 5: *C4B, P2*

Then start decreasing:
row 1: *K1, SKP (left slant decrease), K1, P2*
row 2: *SKP, K1, P2*
row 3: *K2, P2tog*
row 4: *K2, P1*
row 5: *C2B, P1*
row 6: *K2, P1*

Row 7: *K2tog, P1*
row 8-9: *K2tog*

Draw yarn through remaining stitches and pull tight.

Knot it up and weave in any loose ends. All done!

Abbreviations used in this pattern:
C4B= slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and hold at front of work, knit next 2 sts from left-hand needle, then knit sts from cable needle
C2B= slip next stitch onto cable needle and hold at front of work, knit next stitch from left-hand needle, then knit stitch from cable needle.

SKP=Slip as if to knit, knit, pass slipped stitch over