Having done neither technique…I have a question…
I want to work a pattern that requests two circs…
It is a pair of socks doing a fair isle type pattern…
Is it better, or otherwise to work magic loop instead of two circs, should I stick to the two circs mentioned?
Is it really just preference as it is between circs vs dpns?
Is one inherently easier then the other?
Come on! Feed me your knowledge…! smiles
If you do a search you’ll find lots of posts about this I think. 
What it comes down to is personal choice. One is not better than the other, they are just different. I can do both, but [I]much[/I] prefer two circs myself. I have made socks using this method and love it…it’s the only way I do socks now.
This being said…if you haven’t done either method I don’t think it’s wise to do a new pattern in an alternate technique. I think it would be more confusing since you are learning a new pattern as well. Even though the end product is the same the way you do things will be a little different. If you are one of those people who can figure out that stuff then it maybe fine. Up to you though.
Hi Crycket!
I can’t really answer your question all the way - but I thought I would reply anyway! 
I think that using circs vs dpns is all just a matter of preference. I have never worked on dpns, and for me they looked really confusing. I took class and learned magic loop, but if you are experienced working in the round, I don’t think you would need a class. I really like magic loop! And, I think that the basic technique between magic loop and 2 circs is the same - only with 2 circs you don’t have to worry about losing your loop…
I hope this helps at least a little!
Oh I love my DPNs…but working an fair isle type pattern would really bite…so, yeah…
Either way I decide to go, I will need to buy needles for it…so I am just trying to figure out what is best…
sigh…I don’t know…I guess I will get all three needles sizes I need…then try one, then possibly the other…
I personally prefer 2 circs. I am not an expert knitter and I’ve never knitted socks, however I have used the magic loop method and 2 circs. BTW, I don’t like using DPNs now that I use 2 circs.
At first it takes getting used to all the needles hanging down, but I’ve seen your other work and I know you can do it. I learned from Cath Bordhi, here’s a video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RybPvCNfrT8
Someday if I decide to enter the world of socks, I will use 2 circs.
Good luck.
I prefer the two circs, but the owner of my LYS has decided I need to learn 2 at a time - toe up - magic loop and insists that if I can be patient and learn it that I’ll never look back to 2 circs or DPN again…