dpn troubles

[susianna]

A few weeks ago, I started working with (4) dpn's to knit a hat (my first) for my brother, and it has been a nightmare! I read the instructions from a few of my knitting books, and also watched the video from KH, but even with the video I still don't get it. My biggest problem is: which needle is the "next" needle?
Now, I saw the two other ways of knitting small diameter items: the one where you use two circs, and the Magic Loop. Are these subsitutes for dpn's, then? I would love to try one of these, maybe the ML since to me that seems easier for me to get. I'd love to hear some of your opinions- do you use the ML method, or two circs? Or, any advice on using the dpn's? I'm stubborn, and I don't like to give up on something; on the other hand, fighting with my dpn's these past few weeks is wearing me out. Thank you much!

[GrumpyGramma]

Which needle is next? Here's how I think of it. The stitches are all connected just as they would be on a straight needle, so the next needle is the one with the next stitch, you wouldn't skip ahead and start knitting on a stitch that isn't next in line.

I use magic loop a lot. I have used two circs but I have this problem of using the wrong needle and ending up with a mess. No matter how I determine to concentrate and pay attention, pretty soon I've used the wrong needle and have to go back and get thing