I'm not much of a dry fly tyer but thought I would try tying up some Parachute Hares Ears. My question is, do you size the hackle the same way you would normally do say when tying a non parachute fly? Like using the hackle guage that I keep on the stem of my vise.

Another question, whats the best way to wind the hackle around the post? Top to bottom or bottom to top.

Does my question make sense?