Sock Rant

I have many pair of Smartwool socks with holes in the soles at the heel and at the forefoot that didn't really get much use.

I also have some pairs of socks I knitted myself that seem to wear well, though the comfort level isn't quite the same as the yarns are relatively larger than the yarns of commercially made socks.

What to do about those damaged socks?

1. Here is one solution to holes in barely used socks.  The writer scavenges patches from other damaged socks to sew over the hole of the treasured sock.  Great.  Two broken socks to make one.  And considering the source of the patch I'd question its durability.
2. Many people suggest darning the sock by stringing rows of yarn across the hole and then weaving yarn across those rows.  It looks sloppy.  
3. My tentative solution is to knit a patch to cover the hole and a margin of sock around it.  I then hand sew the patch to the sock using upholstery thread.  Unscientific durability testing ongoing.