Unified Sock Theory

I am going to strive to come up with the Perfect Sock Pattern.*

With two pairs of socks completed, what have I learned?

• Toe-up construction is my preferred method
• 2 circular needles beat DPNs hands down
• U.S. 1 ½ (2.5mm) needles are perfect for Knit Picks Essential sock yarn
• Judy Becker’s Magic Cast-on rocks
• Wendy Johnson’s Toe-up Gusset Heel sock pattern rocks
• Elizabeth Zimmermanns’s Sewn Cast-off works, but I’m not thrilled about it
• I'd like a rounder toe for my socks
• The way the heel and toe mess up the pattern makes me sad
• Making the sock with one piece of yarn makes me happy
• Knitting the second sock is anticlimactic
  

Hypotheses to test:

1. A turned heel that won’t drive me crazy exists or can be developed for contrast color heels so I won't have to be sad about pattern distortion.
2. A method to make a rounder toe exists or can be developed so I won't have to listen to the GC say that my socks have "elf toes."
3. A cast-off method that makes me as happy as Magic Cast-on exists or can be developed so I won't have to look at perfect socks with less than perfect cast-offs.
4. Knitting two socks at once will be a more satisfying experience so I won't have second sock syndrome.

*Perfect for me, of course. Your results may vary.