FO: TopSoul Men's Hat + Pattern + Congee Love

You know when you're sick as a dog, and there's only one thing you crave? That over the years it's practically become a legend in your noggin for curing all maladies?
I grew up in Agincourt (Asiancourt) so my magical cure has tended to be steaming hot bowls of chicken ginger congee. The asian restos were so much better (+ cheaper- hello!?) When I'm sick that's all I want- so it was no suprise to me when I phoned up Kevin (poor guy just had the worst 24 hour bug) that he jumped at the offer for congee. We devoured a HUUUUUGGGEGIMONGUS family bowl. It was nuts. Anyways, I've tried to make it myself, but the best congee I've had in Toronto is at King's Noodle on Spadina at Dundas. For $4-9 you can eat till your hearts content!! You can ask for a fried stick, which is essentially a lightly salted donut. Sounds weird, I know, but it goes well together when you dunk them in the soup. Trust me on this one. After congee and catching up, I took him back to my place to pick up his new hat- the topsoul! He was a good sport, but I'll do a proper photoshoot later on when he is not recovering from the brink of death (and possibly has a tan from his christmas vacation with Becca! Bon Voyagie!) I must confess that before this hat, I've been a bad kitten- I never, ever write down my pattern notes! (gasps from the peanut gallery) Blasphemy I know.. so bear with me as I forge ahead with this one. If anyone has questions or finds an error please email me: teamknit@gmail.com and I'll fix it in a jiffy. I chose to use the mock cable eyelet stitch as the bulk of the hat, alternating between 1 and 3 rounds of k2p2 within the rib for more visual variety. 2.75 mm needles (circs/dpns) 1 skein Aplaca/Cashmere blend in a sport weight, (109yards ish) gauge is 6-7sts per inch Cast on 115 sts with circular or dpn needles, place marker, and join in the round. Work 2×2 ribbing (K2, P2) for 2 inches, then begin eyelet mock cable ribbing stitch for 8 -9 repeats as I did or lengthen/shorten to suit. The pattern rows are as follows and if you make this/alter this I would totally love to see it! Eyelet Mock Cable Ribbing (in a multiple of 5 sts): Row 1: *K3, P2* Repeat from * to end. Row 2: *K3, P2* Repeat from * to end. Row 3: *K3, P2* Repeat from * to end. Row 4: *SL1, K2, PSSO, P2* Repeat from * to end. Row 5: *K1, YO, K1, P2* Repeat from * to end. Row 6: *K3, P2* Repeat from * to end. Row 7:*SL1, K2, PSSO, P2* Repeat from * to end. Row 8: *K1, YO, K1, P2* Repeat from * to end. After knitting to desired lengh, start your decreases. I like how this set of decreases flatten the end, making it more cylindrical rather than saggy queen street west hippie (*cough* not that there is anything wrong with that...) ha. Row 1: *K3, K2TOG* Repeat from * to end. Row 2: Knit Row 3: *K2, K2TOG* Repeat from * to end. Row 4: Knit Row 5: *K1, K2TOG* Repeat from * to end. Row 6: Knit Row 7: K2TOG to end Row 8: Knit Remove marker, and K2TOG until 8 stitches remain. Break your yarn leaving a decent tail, thread your tail through the last stitches pull tight and knot securely a few times then weave in the start end and the begining. Bingo Bango. It goes with his parka! yay!