Knitting...

[triedsohard.livejournal.com]

So, I have a couple of knitting questions.
First off...I'm on my last row of stitches on a tote that I've been knitting. Last night, I picked it up to work on it a little more, and I discovered that my circular needle had broken. The plastic piece from the middle had come off of the needle end. (bad description, I know!) This is my first time working with circular needles, I was wondering if this was common with these needles. What types of circular needles (if any) do you use that work well?
My other question is about double pointed needles. I was in a tiny yarn shop a couple of weeks ago. The woman working showed me how to knit a tube using two double pointed needle. Of course, though, I can't remember exactly how she said to do it. I know that she would cast on like doing a normal project and knit the first row, then slide the stitches to the other end of the needle. I tried, and it just was not working for me. Does anyone know how to do this or know where there is a tutorial for this?
Thanks so much!
Sorry no pics...I'll post them of my bag once it's all done!