Oh I do all that too, I'm a co-op freak, but I tend to pump the souls into my levels.
Like, I'm usually about level 55-65 by the time I reach Anor Londo. ( I could get there by level 20 or so... but god I'm ocd about upgrading my gear, and I get oh so many souls from it)

That's definitely the far longer way to go about it, but hey, if it works it works. I wish you luck with that tactic, but if you have faith emit force can get the job done perfectly as well

I continued the first character ever did on this game. He's a greataxe user with massive strength and nothing else at the moment and I'm about to head to anor londo, just doing some last minute upgrading before I head there since I hate backtracking.
The greataxe is surprisingly fun, and since I'm actually fairly good at the game now I can use it properly. Also, I'm packing no poise on it because of the weight of my BKH, and greataxe (14), so pure light gear for now
Also, got enough dex to use the black knight halberd, it's glorious~

I know anor londo like the back of my hand, so that'll be a breeze (unless the part with the painting guardians in the rafters gets me on a character with no range on it)