(pins 2-13 = 12 pins + analog pins = 6 pins. Total 18 pins ! ;))
Ok, those methods are good, but not very adapted if you plan to do other time-consuming things. I can recommend you shift registers. I got mine 5 for 1 us$ from Thailand on eBay. It's of course more assembly, but if you go this way I can give you a function to light LEDs a simple way.
Anoter thing : have a look at registers that handle PWM, you could handle the velocity!