When tying for the first time, try using hooks that are 1x or 2x long, they give you more room for error when learning how to use shank space. Tying videos on YouTube often give you a warped, magnified perspective that exaggerates how much space you have to work with. If you can't tie a pattern in under 8-9 minutes (after accounting for a learning curve) it's probably not worth the effort. The most effective pattern I've ever tied is the mop fly, and it is just a mob segment with a few turns of shaggy dubbing, done in under 2 minutes. I used to tie a fairly elaborate golden stonefly, usually took over 10 minutes, but it looked really good/realistic. It didn't catch any more fish than a basic pheasant tail or zebra midge. I no longer tie it.
