I made one of these for my cousin’s birthday and he loved it : Guernsey hat; making another one for another cousin (his brother) this time using the Peace Fleece.
Using the smaller needles for the ribbing only.

After setting up the stitch pattern and placing the markers I stopped looking at the chart all the time but followed the pattern by looking at my stitches and making sure to work 5 rows between cables and 3 rows between ladders. It seems that I am coming along quite speedily. I think the ribbing was slower than knitting the pattern. Probably because it is fun to see it emerge and I just have to knit one more row or one more ladder, cable, diamond … and before I know it , it is time for the decreases.