http://www.headhuggers.org/patterns/kpatt06.htm
I’m following the pattern at this link, and I was wondering if it is absolutley necessary to switch to the double pointed needles. I don’t do very well on dpns, and I don’t have the right size, so would it matter if I just stayed on the circular needles? Or do I really need to get the dpns? 
Thanks!
Hat question
You will get to the point when you won’t have enough stitches to fit around the circular needle–that’s why dpns are called for.
If you are using interchangeable needles you can do the top in magic loop. That’s what I usually do. OR you can use two circs if you have the right size. Otherwise DPNs are the only way to do the top. BTW…they really aren’t hard when you reach that point. It’s starting on DPN’s that is the problem. Once you have some material on them they knit pretty much like regular. 