help on replaceing a gearknob!!

[player09]

Hello there, i am new here

I've been having trouble trying to replace a old gearknob and can't seem to figure out how to take the whole thing off. I've managed to take off the boot i think everyone calls it, its the leather type bit that covers the gearstick. I pull it upwards but then won't seem to come up any further as i get halfway. How do i take the whole thing off fully without damaging anything? I want ot replace the boot and the gearknob itself and its the gearknob that i can't seem to take off in order to put the new one in.

I noticed a ring like circle wrapped around the gearstick and i'm taking a guess i have to force that open somehow in order for the gearknob to come off. I just didn't want to attempt anything myself because i could damage something. So i wanted some advice first.

Any help would be appreciated. many thanks.