ribbing for hat

[Futurekitty]

I want to knit a snood style hat in the round with a 1 to 1-1/2 inch ribbing with the body in stockinette. I'm using sport weight yarn, size 6 needles. I'm planning on knitting a k1p1 ribbing on size 4 needles. Will this be too tight a ribbing for this style hat? Should I use size 6 needles for the ribbing as well as the body of the hat? Also, should the number of stitches cast on be based on the gauge for the body or for the ribbing? I'm making my own pattern for this, from a picture. Thanks for your help. I've learned so much from reading through the forums and watching the videos.

[suzeeq]

It's usual to use a smaller needle for the ribbing as ribbed sts tend to look larger than they are. Going down 2 sizes is okay, so is just 1 size, so if you have 5s, they'll be fine.

Also, should the number of stitches cast on be based on the gauge for the body or for the ribbing?

That's trickier. The ribbing should stretch enough that if you use the sts for the body gauge it should work. If you use the gauge from the ribbing it could be too small.