The magic loop method is evidentially an old way of knitting something small in the round with one long circular needle. I only started hearing about it a month or so ago, and have since found a couple links for it. Two Cats and a Girl has a free sock pattern that uses the magic loop method, and here’s a page with photos and a description of the technique. One of these sites says that you can use any circular needle that’s at least 29 inches long, but she prefers 40 inch needles. Interesting. I may have to try this. I wonder if I have circular needles the right size in my stash.