Soon to be extinct

Toe-up socks of doom, your time has come to an end. I started you last May (that's 2006 people!) and you have sat gathering dust on my desk, taunting me with your unfinish-able state since September, the last time I deigned to knit you. Your second heel is the bane of my existence. I tried, really tried to finish the heel. I've spared the close-up pictures of the loose, holey excuse of a heel. The short row decreases are done, but I can not remember if I have switched to increases or not, and your tiny, tiny stitches tell me nothing. Which is sad because your yarn is absolutely gorgeous.
The part that annoys me the most? Count the number of Clover size 2 double pointed needles in the picture.

4
I bought a set of 5.

I finally get the urge to just finish you off, but I've lost a needle. I've torn my room apart looking for it, and can only wonder if the needle has wormed it's way into a hole in the space-time continuum.
I've never lost needles before! I almost bought a new set of needles in a moment of weakness last night simply because not having the full set of 5 irritates me to no end.
Yes, I know I can still use my set with only 4 needles, but still. That was my last drop of motivation for these doomed from the start socks.

So, tonight, the frogging will begin. Any suggestions for the yarn? I'm thinking mittens, or a hat.