Well, I finally tried the magic loop method - and, I don't think I like it. I think I'm going to give up for now. Almost done those magic stripes socks - I'm trying to make them knee highs with some creative usage of yarn/leftovers/odd balls that match the colors in the socks. I started another pair of broadripples out of some handpainted yarn from knit picks, but, I don't like how huge they looked. I frogged back to the end of the toes at about the 64 stitch mark instead of 72 stitch mark, and I think I'll make crusoe's instead.