A Bulky Hug is designed to feel warm and cuddly while providing lots of options for how you like to be hugged. I wanted it to cover shoulders and neck so I based size on shoulder circumference.
This accessory if very stretchy and therefore one size can easily fit a range of shoulder circumference. In choosing what is best for you (or whomever you are knitting for), decide if you want the fabric thick and dense while worn or if you like to see the pattern stretched and have a little room for breeze to get through. Measure around the widest part of shoulders and choose your size at the bottom of a range for dense fabric and at the top of a range for a more stretched fabric.
Size shown in M with 38” shoulder circumference

While gauge is not crucial for this pattern, please note that different yarn or needles could change the necessary amount of yarn and the fit