Another reader knit

This cute raspberry number was knitted by Thiire from Finland.  She e-mailed me before starting the hat crown decreases: 

I am knitting the smallest size, and am about to start the crown shape.

Crown shaping: 
Rnd 1: *K1, YO, k2, SSK, (k2tog) twice, YO. Rep from * to end of rnd. 64(72, 80) sts.
Rnds 2, 4, 6, 8: K.
Rnd 3: *YO, (SSK) twice, k2tog, k1, YO, k1. Rep from * to end of rnd. 56(63, 70) sts.

I do not understand the parts which I colored red above.
Am I meant to do k2tog twice (or not at all) in the round 1?
Am I meant to do SSK twice or not at all in the round three?

At first I didn't understand her confusion--and then I realized that she was wondering if the fact that the k2tog and the SSK were in parentheses meant that they should only be worked for the medium and large sizes.  I was trying to avoid confusion by using those parentheses, but I think they are really unnecessary.

Thanks for your question, Thiire!  This pattern-writing is certainly a learning process.   

Comments

[Karla]

This is a beautiful hat. I would love to make one for my daughter, have you posted the pattrn yet?