I tried this method a while ago and found that I didn't like it. But now I see that I was doing it all wrong. I'm going to try railroading the way you've shown. Right now I am using a make shift laying tool. It's just a very long needle, about 6 inches with a blunt tip. The railroading method seems much easier and faster.
I'm so glad I'm reading this thread. After every few crosses I've made, I'll let the strands spin but despite that, I'll land up with one strand shorter than the other. Will definitely give this railroading method a try.