Thursday 20 December 2007

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!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mmmm... I love jook! Do you ever eat it with the fried, dried, fuzzy pork stuff? (yook sung--no idea what it's called in English) Best comfort food ever.

Unknown said...

I love that fact that you're a white girl who know about congee. =)

elizabeth marley said...

I'm still not really sure what congee is, but it sounds like it would be fabulous right now.

The hat looks awesome. Thanks for writing up the pattern!

Claire said...

Love the hat!

Maggie Tipping said...

Haha I have never heard anyone else mention congee. I have never had it, but my Uncle loves loves loves it. He said the same as you, that it is all he wants when he is sick or needs some comfort.