The Montana beanie is worked in the round using the stranded colourwork technique, before decreasing to form a five-pointed flower pattern at the top.

Due to the large pattern repeat, size changes are made by altering tension slightly. Read the guidance notes below to help you choose the right yarn/ tension for your size.

SIZING
Actual circumference at brim
42 (45.5, 47.5, 50, 52.5, 55.5) cm/ 16½ (18, 18¾, 19¾, 20¾, 22) in
Actual depth from cast on edge to top
16.5 (17.5, 19.5, 20, 21, 22) cm/ 6½ (7, 7¾, 8, 8¼, 8½) in

Designed to be worn with approx 5cm (2in) negative ease compared to head circ. To check hat height will be correct, measure from the top of your neck, over your head to 2.5cm (1in) below the hairline at your forehead. Your hat depth should be approx half this measurement.

TENSION
Toddler 24 x 28 rounds in stranded colourwork stocking stitch to 10cm (4in) square using larger needles.
Suggested main needle size 3.5mm (US 4)

Child 22 sts x 27 rounds in stranded colourwork stocking stitch to 10cm (4in) square using larger needles.
Suggested main needle size 4mm (UK 8/ US 6)

Size S 21 sts x 24 rounds in stranded colourwork stocking stitch to 10cm (4in) square using larger needles.
Suggested main needle size 4.5mm (UK 7/ US 7)

Size M 20 sts x 23 rounds in stranded colourwork stocking stitch to 10cm (4in) square using larger needles.
Suggested main needle size 5mm (UK 6/ US 8)

Size L 19 sts x 22 rounds in stranded colourwork stocking stitch to 10cm (4in) square using larger needles.
Suggested main needle size 5.5mm (UK 5/ US 9)

Size XL 18 sts x 21 rounds in stranded colourwork stocking stitch to 10cm (4in) square using larger needles.
Suggested main needle size 6mm (UK 4/ US 10)

To get tension easily choose a DK weight yarn for sizes Toddler and Child, a worsted weight or light aran yarn for sizes S and M, and an aran or light chunky weight yarn for sizes L and XL.

I recommend using a wool or alpaca yarn for stranded colourwork as this responds well to blocking, helping you to create a nice even finish.

YARN AMOUNTS
Because of the different tensions and yarn weights used to create the different sizes for this hat it is hard to be exact down to the metre/yard of how much yarn you will need.
For example, the Child size took 70m of DK yarn in the main colour - most of the ball, the Medium took 85m of aran yarn in the main colour, while the Extra Large took 70m of light chunky yarn in the main colour.

Whatever tension you are aiming for, you’ll need two different colours with a good amount of contrast, and it’s safest to start with 100m in your main colour and about 40m in your contrast colour to ensure you have plenty. If you want to add a pom pom, plan for plenty extra in your chosen colour so that you can make it a generous one!