Do you see what time it is? I’m apparently pulling an all-nighter - too wrapped up in craft to sleep. I don’t think that’s happened to me in years. Normally I’d moan about screwing my schedule up, but I think this is a good exception.

Not that I’m producing “art”… I’m just fiddling around with the mechanics of making a good, interesting crocheted sock. Obviously, the process and finished product are quite different from knitted socks, but rather than try to duplicate the look of a knitted one, I’m going with the characteristics of crochet and working from there. The foot is going to be single crochet and very fitted; the leg is going to be lace and will probably come out somewhat slouchy. You do know that I’m thinking out loud, right?

All of this happened because, so far, my Socktoberfest is a bust. I’ve started about a 1/2 dozen socks, and haven’t been thrilled with any of them - I think I’ve done more frogging than knitting. I do have some magnificently-colored spiral-ribbed tube socks on the needles, with every intention of finishing them, but I’m getting bored, and I’m only about halfway through the first sock. Hence the crocheted socks, because I know I’m a darn lot faster with a hook than with needles.

Tweedledee. Back to work, I guess. :)

Oh, but not before posting a recipe, because ’tis the season for Pumpkin Spice Cookies!

1 cup flour
1 cup rolled oats
1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup margarine
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tsp grated orange zest
1/2 cup raisins, dried cranberries, or chocolate chips, optional

Mix together flour, oats, spice, soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat margarine and sugar till light and fluffy. Beat in the pumpkin, vanilla, and zest. Reduce speed to low and mix in flour mixture. Stir in raisins. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets, and bake for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees, till lightly browned. Makes roughly 5 dozen itty bitty cakelike cookies.

Enjoy!