I’m starting my first pair of socks and was just curious, what cast on method is best?
Not to be too flippant, but - the one that works for you. There are several methods and people like one over another for different reasons. So it’s really something more personal than universal.
I posted the same thing a while back, and a friend was kind enough to suggest the Knitted On Cast On - you can see it in the videos page…it gives you lots of control over the stitch tension on the first row which was initially a big problem for me.
Ultimately, you can cast on any way you’d like…it’s about preference but I like the above particularly for socks…
Good luck! 
my favorite cast ons for socks?
1–tubular
2–channel island
3–twisted (aka norwegian, german, etc)
4–long tail
unless i am doing a toe up… then i like:
1–magic
2–Eastern
3-simple (for socks that start on instep, and the toes is knit flat)
for a cuff down sock, [B]ANY cast on will work, if [/B]the cast on is worked loosely, so [B]it has plenty of stretch.
[/B]i think the ones i listed are extra stretchy… (and besides I like how they look!)
some knitters manage to make a cable cast on stretchy enough! (it wouldn’t work for me!)
the best thing about KNITTING–is you have lots of choices… and you can pick and chose details like cast on or decrease style (or in socks, heel style, and toes styles too, as well as direction!)
the BEST? YOU CHOSE!