Magic Loop/2Circs question

[Sunshine's Mom]

I'm doing Ladyfirelyght's test pattern for her Thorn Lace socks (they look great and I'm very excited to be doing this ) and have decided that I need to use Magic Loop or 2 circs rather than dpns. First, I've never done toe-up socks before but I like the challenge and managed to complete the toe on my dpns, however, I think using another method will work better for the rest.

My question, is Magic Loop and using 2 circs the same thing? It looks like 2 circs is the way to go here in any event. So, question 2 - everything I've read and watched shows Magic Loop using 1 circ and the longer the cable the better. Does the "longer the cable the better" also apply to 2 circs? I need to get some supplies and would like to get the proper things in this regard. I'm going to purchase cables and points from the KP interchangeable options sets.

Help.

[yarncharmer]

Hi Sunshine's Mom,
No, the longer the better doesn't necessarily apply for 2 circs-- 16" or 24" should be fine. Some people use one longer and one shorter to help differentiate between the two, or get two with different colored needles to help tell them apart as you work. In the Knitting Circles Around Socks book, which shows how to do 2 socks at a time on 2 circs, she recommends you use one 16" and one 24"-- so if you're just doing one sock, 16" should be just fine

[suzeeq]

They're similar in that the sts are divided into 2 sets, but you don't need long cords if you're doing 2 circs, they tend to get in the way. You can use a 16" and a 24", those would probably be about right; they don't need to be the same length either as sometimes that can be confusing.

[Sunshine's Mom]

Thank you both. You are so fast! Gosh I love this site. I knew I'd get an answer lickety-split!