Stocking unstuckings!

A lot has happened with Sam's Christmas stocking. I started it and got all the way to the gussett and got stuck. The pattern calls for a circular needle but I didn't have one small enough for the small number of cast on stitches I had. I decided to do it on straight needles. I also changed the number of cast on stitches to make it even bigger than the largest size. I finally put it on 2 circulars when I got to the heel flap and started knitting it in the round. I will have to seam up the rest of the stocking when I'm done. I did fine till I got to the part where you pick up the gusset stitches. I know how to pick them up, but then what? The pattern has you switch to DPN's. I can't knit on DPN's. I was stuck.

I decided to learn how to learn to knit a normal sized sock the traditional way. The book I have and the socks I've made are not traditional patterns. So I grabbed a huge skein of worsted weight acrylic (not normal for socks) and found a pattern that used 2 circulars (that I was using on Sam's stocking) and that was cuff down and started. Problem is, the pattern is for knitting 2 socks on 2 circulars. I just wanted to knit one sock. So I ignored the instructions for the second sock. I didn't know what cast on number I should use for a sock to fit me. The pattern gave an example of 60 stitches. Great! I just needed a number so I used that one. Needless to say Sasquatch could wear this! I don't care since it's just practice and will not be worn when finished.

I managed fine till I got to the part where you pick up the gussett stitches. It was the same place I got stuck before. The pattern was not clear and having instructions for 2 socks at the same time made things worse. I was very frustrated. I searched the internet again for a pattern that was more clear.
I watched videos hoping they would help me. They didn't. I called 2 yarn stores and asked if they charged to help me. I really didn't think it would be that hard or take long. They both charged so I decided to keep searching. I put a book on hold at the libray for 2 socks on 2 circular needles from the the same author of the book I own. I was hoping it would help me get past where I was stuck. I will have to wait a few days to get it. I  finally found a pattern that was clearer, used 2 circulars and was cuff down. I picked up the pattern at the place I was stuck at and started.

The pattern was clear and now I am past the heel and the gussett and and working my way to the toe. The picture shows where I am. I am very excited. I am anxious to get to the toe. It took forever to
knit the leg portion, below the ribbing, to the heel. The pattern said to knit 6 inches but I stopped at 4 inches. The leg was not what I needed to learn. When this sock is done I will have to mesh 2-3 patterns to make Sam's stocking. Hopefully when I am done I will have a "pattern" that I can confidently use to make the other 4 stockings. Yeah me!?