Knitting Socks, a Rant, and a Book Review

Okay, so; I just got my first sock knitting book. It's called "Getting Started Knitting Socks" by Ann Budd. This book is fantastic! I really shouldn't have done it, but I started to knit a pair of socks. I really should have been working on Christmas presents, but I couldn't resist the temptation! The designs for the socks in this book, she has socks in lots of colors and gauges. Some of the colors aren't my personal taste, but hey, I'm a metal head. But the best thing about the book is, it has sock patterns, but it will teach you how to design your own socks. This is good for me because I like to design clothes, so this is important to me. One thing that made me go to my knitting grandmother and my aunt was the heel flap. I didn't get it until my aunt said. "You purl that row, don't do the same thing as you did the first row." I felt pretty blond at that moment. (I'm not blond, I'm a redhead)
The colors that appeal to me are Black, Red, Green, Brown, and Grey; so the only socks that appeal to me are the demos, and the cranberry red socks. But the good thing about socks is that you have a blank canvas to throw your preference in there.
Now, here's my rant. Because my ideal sock needles are full, I decided to try the Magic Loop method. Now, that means all your stitches are on one long circular, instead of two crics or three double points. I have to say, I hated it. I defend any ones right to knit this method as much as they want, but I can't stand it! The cable flopped around and I got frustrated with the method. I am a die hard DPN knitter, so this method was confusing. I got to the gusset pickup and decided enough was enough, I yanked out the needle. I felt relived and picked up my Christmas knitting.
I haven't knitted socks yet because of the daunting prospects of the dreaded heel turn. But, even on a new method of knitting that I wasn't used to, it was easy! Imagine what it will be like on my DPN's !!!! After the holidays are over, I will begin my first pair of socks.
Now, what do I knit on replacement for socks? Many knitters use socks as a travel knitting or social knitting. I have my own variation; immediately after I learned how to use DPN's, I made up a fingerless glove pattern. This is my fallback for fast gifts, and travel knitting. It takes me maximum 5 days to knit a pair of gloves. However, once I learn how to make socks, this will be my fall back.
Thank you Mrs. Budd for this book and I give it an A+!!