What you could do is find a pattern for socks knitted in worsted weight, of course using a bigger needle than the sock yarn needle, which is probably a 1 or a 2. You'd get done quicker and could consider it practice.

I think socks are fun because it feels like a link to the past when most socks were hand knit and mended multiple times to extend wear. I've really only made three pair. My biggest problem has been getting them to fit my feet. The last pair I made would fit Paul Bunyan.

Also, Socknitters forum can be helpful. Link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Socknitters Forum

Socks, that's a really good suggestion. That's exactly what I did the first time I knitted a pair of socks. And I used a really soft yarn and my sister in law doesn't think they're too thick to wear with her boots. I wear mine as slippers.

I just stumbled across this sock tutorial which has some pretty good pictures.

Here is a link that might be useful: sock tutorial

I second Socks12345's suggestion to try knitting your first pair of socks with worsted weight yarn to get the construction and heel turn down pat. When you're knitting with the black wool, you can try using a white towel or pillowcase on your lap to see the knitting better. After several pairs of too-big socks, I now cast on fewer stitches than recommended for the shoe size and use smaller needles than recommended for a tighter, longer-wearing fabric.

You can get sock yarn on-line thru Joann.com. They sell Lion Brand "magicstripes" and Paton's Kroy Sox Yarn and Bernat sock yarn. You can usually get a pair of socks from one skein for about $8-9 dollars a pair. You can also find all kinds of information on sock yarn and patterns by doing a search on "knitting socks".
I tried the pattern put out with the Lion Brand Magicstripes yarn.I had no problems following the directions and actually turned the heel the first time thru the directions, the biggest thing I was afraid to do with socks. So, as someone else here on this forum said, "just slowly follow the directions and you should have no trouble". I never finished the toe as the sock was huge, so that's a part I don't know yet.
I had already gone down from size 3 to size 2 needles before starting the sock but it was still too big, so I pulled it all out and went to size 1 needles. Have just reached the beginning of the heel and so far it looks ok size wise(adult medium size).
I like watching the pattern made by the striping yarn and the wool in the yarn makes it very comfortable to work with. I enjoy doing it. I have already gotten more sock yarn for future knitting.
Good luck - I hope you like sock knitting too.

Well, I am making a worsted sock as advised, and have had no real problem following the pattern. But as you have also experienced, it is huge.

I used a smaller worsted as the Red Heart worsted was humongous, but I have only size 3 short dps. I need to find some smaller dowel to make some size 2 or 1 short dp needles.

And I won't use worsted except to make bed socks! I want to find a machine wash and dry wool in pretty color(s) for socks if I make any for me. The guys will be fine with the dark, dull colors.

You can knit socks in any yarn/weight you want...... depending on what kind you want..... if you want "indoor" socks a nice heavy weight is nice and warm for winter indoors..... if you want one that can be worn in a shoe..... then you just need a smaller gauge. 6-7 or 7-8 should work. I don't even like wool because I think it is scratchy..... here are two sites that offer finer gauged wool but you can get it at alot of places.... it sounds like that shop "gouged" you by telling you one of their more expensive brands was the only kind that can be used for socks...... check these site out:
Here is a link to this sites sock yarns:
http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/yarn_list.aspx?searchType=PROMO&categories='005'&DGroups='Socks'&titleName=Sock+Yarn+Lines&titleType=sockyarns

Here is a link that might be useful: yarnco. has alot of nice yarns. This koigu is really pretty. It is prettier in person than in the pic. It is the right weight.

Woolease washes and dries really well, but it's not 100 percent wool, only about 20 percent wool.

There's a method for making socks using circular needles. I got the book tried it wasn't bad. Now I can't find the book her name was Cat something. But I really want to try this sounds like a nice summer project
debi

Someone else posted this site a while back and I found it very useful because of the videos, thought I'd pass it on for you to at least look at.

Oh and I've made several pairs of socks now and am quite proud of myself lol. I actually started out with a sports weight yarn because I had it on hand and I thought what the heck if I couldn't get it not much was spent on trying it out. ;0)

Here is a link that might be useful: sock videos

The book Debi is talking about is Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles, by Cat Bordhi. I'd like to get my hands on that one myself.

I was inspired by this forum to try knitting socks & purchased this book. I'm trying the "simple sock" and mine is 3 1/2" long so far. Can't say how this compares to dp needle knitting as this is my first sock ever. However I've always preferred circular needles to straight and it seems to be going well - but haven't gotten to the heel yet :). There is also a section that tells you how to convert regular sockpatterns to circular. Hoping to have the pair done by next winter . . .