Any crochet experts out there?

[Mishy1234]

I'm a beginner (and I mean beginner!) and I'm having trouble interpreting a pattern for a baby hat.

It starts as follows;

Instructions: Join each round with a sl st in the first stitch, not the chain Ch 4, join with sl st to form ring.

Round 1: ch 1, 9 sc in ring; join with sl st in first sc {9 sc}

I'm a bit confused as how to start. Do I really just chain 1 (after slip knot) and then single crochet into that?

No, you chain 4 then slip stitch into the first chain to make a ring.
Then chain one and crochet 9 single crochets (is it an American pattern? I would call these stitches double crochets) into the ring.
Next finish that round by slip stitching into the first sc. The completed round should consist of 9 stitches.
Hth.

OxyMoron- yes, it is an American pattern. Thanks so much for help and so quick too! I'm really enjoying what I've done so far (just practicing the stitches) and I'm itching to get started. You've given me the clarification I need to get on with it now, thanks.