Helena's Happyland Fun-Time Sock Club!

First, let me say that Joe and I both appreciate all of your kind words in response to my last blog entry. I told him that some of you were interested in how to get a bottle of your very own Mohawk Farms Blueberry Wine, and we decided the best route to go about this is for anyone who is going to be in this area and interested in a bottle should let me know in advance. Going to the farm is probably a bad idea as they are building a new camp, some of the men are on there way up to move in, and they are starting to get ready for the upcoming blueberry season, it's going to be a zoo down there shortly!

I wish that I could send all of you a bottle, but mailing alcohol requires licenses and permits, and it is just impossible for me to do so. :(




That pretty looking banner right above there... Joe made that for me. I get such a kick out of it! (Make sure you click on it to make it bigger! I love how he made Happyland Fun-Time look like it has little knit stitches in it!)

By now it is no secret that I am addicted to knitting socks. I just can't get enough sock yarn, or sock clubs for that matter. A while ago The Loopy Ewe held sign ups for their sock club. Since there were so many people who threw their name into the hat, they held a lottery, picking new members at random. I threw my name into the hat, but alas, did not get a spot in the club.

At first, I was a little disappointed. But I quickly realized that I have a ton of beautiful sock yarn laying around that is not being used. There are also a ton of patterns out there I want to knit.

So I decided to start my own sock club. I picked six skeins of yarn, and six patterns, threw them into bags, threw them into a dresser drawer and decided every other month I would pick one.

Joe named it Helena's Happyland Fun-Time Sock Club, and it was so cute, I had to go along with it. A few days later, he surprised me with that banner to use every other month when I blog about my personal sock club selections!

February's selection was a pattern I had knit before, but just fell in love with. The yarn however was one I had not yet had a chance to try.


Pattern: River Rapids by Sockbug
Yarn: Yarn Pirate BFL in Wintergreen, purchased from The Loopy Ewe
Needles: US size 0
Gauge: 8sts/inch
Mods: The pattern calls for a sport weight yarn, knit to a gauge of 7.5 sts/inch. I subbed a fingering weight sock yarn at a gauge of 8 sts/inch for a perfect fit. Other than that, I followed the pattern exactly as written.


All in all, I am really pleased with this sock. The yarn is super soft, and the color is absolutely stunning. The only complaint I have, and it's not even a complaint, just something to note, is that the yarn doesn't have a nice crisp stitch definition like some other yarns I've worked with. I still highly recommend it though!

Now I just need to finish up the second one, so I have a matching pair to wear!

The fruit of Joe's labor.

Today I have something really cool to share with you guys that is not knitting related at all. In fact, it's something I took no part in creating at all. This one is all Joe.

Joe is a blueberry farmer. The farm has been in the family for something like 85 years. His great grandfather bought the first piece of land, which then was passed on to Joe's grandfather, and then on to Joe's dad. The farm has expanded considerablly since that first piece of land was purchased and today is a sight to be seen. The farm and everything it stands for really and truly means a lot to Joe and he hopes one day that the torch will be passed to him.

Those of you who have traveled through New Jersey on the Atlantic City Expressway have seen the farm. Right near exit 28, you can see the packing house, emblazoned with the name "Mohawk Farms."

Joe and his grandfather, whom everyone calls Mohawk, have in the past dabbled in wine making on the side.

After taking a break from it for a few years, last year they decided to give it another go. This time around the whole family pitched in, which resulted in the best wine they've made to date.

Joe put a lot of time and effort into this project and it truly shows. Here it is, one of the first bottles bottled. Mohawk Farms, Blueberry Wine.