I have taught classes on Stranded Knitting Portuguese Style for many years and this hat is one of the designs I came up with for the class.
I never had a problem with the gauge until recently. To have the hat to fit a adult head, use the gauge of 4.5 stitches to the inch. It will give you the 22 inches circumference and it will fit a male adult. The gauge of 6 stitches/inch made a hat that fits me.
It takes two skeins of Heilo yarn in two contrasting colors. Feel free substitute yarn and needles to obtain the gauge you want.