The biggest problem when knitting socks the traditional way is that when you finally get the sock done, you have to start all over again to make the second half of the pair... and in my experience, it never quite matches the first sock.
Using two skeins of yarn and a 40" long cable needle, by looping it in a particular way, you can knit both socks at the same time. It takes the same amount of overall time as knitting two socks one at a time but this way you finish both socks at the same time! :-)
I'm using Melody Superwash 100% wool for this pair. I'm practicing a new pattern for leisure socks and I'll use the more expensive wool in the next pair I make, once I'm sure I have the technique mastered.
