A Flexible and Fun Hat Pattern for Every Knitter

Originally published on January 1, 2024

The William's hat is a really gorgeous knit pattern from Melanie Rountree that is very fast to knit and flexible. It can be made as a fitted or slouchy version, with stripes, knitted with only one color, with embroidery on the hat etc. It’s perfect for someone like me who loves to knit hats in all variations and colors.

Two Versions of the William's Hat

In this blog post I wanted to share with you two versions of the William's hat that I made

1. A fitted version with embroidery to match the Vine Pullover, 
2. A slouchy version with gradient stripes.

Fitted Version: Perfectly Embroidered

I knitted the fitted version with the same yarn as the Vine Pullover: Drops Lima in the colors Blue Indigo for the body of the hat, and White for the brim. For the embroidery, I used the colors Ocker, Olive, and White. The embroidery on the hat was actually more difficult for me to make because the flowers for the hat were smaller than on the Pullover, and with the thick wool, it was quite challenging for me. The decreases are really gorgeous, and it fits the head perfectly.

Slouchy Version: Gradient Stripes

For the slouchy version, I worked a multicolor long-tail cast-on and I wanted to have a color gradient. I knitted this hat with a beautiful combination of Red and Gray from Schoeller+Stahl Baby Mix.

It is essential to have the exact row gauge so that it doesn’t get too short or too long. My gauge told me that I had to knit 39 rows after the brim before I could start with the decreases. So I sat down at my table with a cup of tea and a few cookies and made various sketches of all the possible combinations.

In the end, I came up with this:

• three rows in Grey 

• one row in Red 

• three rows in Gray

• one row in Red 

• three rows in Gray

• one row in Red 

• three rows in Gray

• two rows in Red

• two rows in Gray

• two rows in Red

• two rows in Gray 

• two rows in Red

• two rows in Gray

• three rows in Red

• one row in Gray 

• three rows in Red

• one row in Gray

• three rows in Red

• one rows in Gray

Why I Think You’ll Love the William's Hat

The William's Hat is a fast, fun, and highly customizable knitting project. Whether you’re knitting for yourself or as a gift, this pattern offers endless possibilities:

• Choose between a fitted or slouchy style.
• Experiment with stripes , solid colors , or embroidery .
• Use leftover yarn to create unique designs.

Its versatility makes it perfect for knitters of all skill levels, and the finished product is both stylish and functional.

(Edit: By now, I have knitted three versions of the Williams Hat. If you want to read more about the white one with the flower embroidery, I wrote a separate post about it.)

Final Thoughts: A Hat for Every Occasion

The William's Hat is a canvas for creativity. With its flexibility and beauty, it’s no wonder this pattern has become my favorite.

Whether you’re stitching up a fitted version with intricate embroidery or a slouchy version with gradient stripes, this hat is sure to impress. So grab your needles, choose your yarn, and start knitting your own William's Hat.

Until then, happy knitting!

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