Magic Loop: Start with a magic loop. If you do not know how to do a magic loop but want to learn, there are some great tutorials on youtube.
***Alternate: If you do not want to use a magic loop you can chain 3 and slip stitch together. Leave your excess yarn hanging as you can still pull tight when the hat is done and then weave in the excess yarn with your needle.
Either in your magic loop or your chain circle:
Round 1: ch 2 (acts as your first hdc), 9 hdc, sl st to top of ch 2, Total for Round 1 is 10 hdc
Round 2: ch 1 (does not act as a st), work [2 hdc] in each st, around sl st to first hdc / 20 sts
Round 3: ch 1 (does not act as a st), *hdc, [2 hdc] in next st* , repeat * to * around, sl st to first hdc / 30 sts
Round 4: ch 1 (does not act as a st), *hdc, hdc, [2 hdc]* , repeat * to * around, sl st to first hdc / 40 sts
Round 5: ch 1 (does not act as a st), *hdc, hdc, hdc, [2 hdc] * , repeat * to * around, sl st to first hdc / 50 sts
Round 6: ch 1 (does not act as a st), *hdc, hdc, hdc, hdc, [2 hdc] * , repeat * to * around, sl st to first hdc / 60 sts
Round 7: : ch 1 (does not act as a st), *hdc, hdc, hdc, hdc, hdc, [2 hdc] * , repeat * to * around / 70 sts
Place marker at last st of Round 7 because you will now be working in the round but need the start point