While I created this design in honor of the Chinese zodiac Year of the Ox (or bull), it would also be suitable for your favorite Taurus (just omit the Chinese character stranded pattern, as in the dark-background, baby-sized sample pictured). Lightly variegated yarns add interest to the stranded motif.

This hat is worked in the round from the bottom up, and is shown with an optional tassel.

Difficulty
Intermediate: Skills include working in the round, reading a chart, and stranded knitting.

Finished Sizes
14 (16¼, 18¾, 21)“/35.5 (41.5, 47.5, 53.5) cm circumference, to fit babies (children, teens/small adults, large adults). Recommend measuring wearer’s head for best fit; most wearers prefer hats with 1-3” of negative ease. Height of hat is approximately 7¾ (8¾, 91/4, 9¾)”/19.5 (22, 23.5, 25) cm.
Shown in size 18¾“/47.5 cm (light background) with 3”/7.5 cm negative ease on mannequin, and size 14”/35.5 cm (dark background).

Materials
Yarn DK weight (#3 Light) yarn. Main Color (MC): 115 (140, 165, 190) yd/105 (130, 155, 175) m. Contrast Color (CC): 35 (40, 45, 50)yd/35 (40, 40, 45) m.
If using a variegated yarn for MC and/or CC, ALL colors within one yarn(s) should be lighter or darker than ALL colors in other yarn, or design will not display properly.

Shown in (light background) Madelinetosh Tosh DK, 100% superwash merino wool, 225 yds/206 m per 3.5 oz/100 g skein; MC Warm Mushroom, 1 skein for all sizes; CC Amber Trinket, 1 skein for all sizes; (dark background) Berroco Arno, 57% cotton/43% merino wool, 159 yds/145 m per 1.75 oz/50 g skein; MC #5073 Raspberry 1 (1, 2, 2) skeins; CC #5096 Dulce de Leche, 1 skein for all sizes.

Needles US size 6/4.0 mm in preferred style for small circumference knitting in the round Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions Stitch marker; tapestry needle.

Gauge
24 sts/28 rnds to 4”/10 cm in St st or stranded patt. Some knitters may need to use needles one size larger when working the stranded pattern to get the correct gauge. Measure gauge on blocked swatch.