I tried tying some North Country Spiders today. I started on a size 14 hook and I couldn't make anything work right. When I finished it, it looked like someone had stepped on it in something sticky. So I tried a size 12, and got the same results. I know my hands are getting a little feeble, but I think my supplies are getting old and brittle too. My peacock herl is probably 10+ years old. I'll try again tomorrow.