Knitting Nellies?

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Has anyone ever used one of these? It's basically a tube with four pegs at the top (apparently you can make these out of old spools of thread and four nails) and you use it to make a bizarre yet really quite cool...tube thing of yarn. The resulting tube can be made into (weird) hats, or coasters, or pot holders, or rugs, and stuff like that. I had one but I never made anything with it. Just wondering if anyone else had..

Also! I am planning to make a skirt out of ties! I wish I had a picture of where I got this idea, but alas, I found the idea in a book my sister has and she doesn't want me to scan it because I'd break the binding. Basically, picture, uh...a lot of ties shaped into a skirt, rofl. Does anyone have advice on a) how to make a waistband (I'm thinking I'll sew elastic around the inside or something) or b) how to make an inner lining?

Also *also*: I'm finally teaching myself how to knit. I am making one of those "skinny scarves" that will be uber-popular in a few months (Delia*s has been advertising them; and anything Delia*s sells becomes instantly popular) and so far, it's been pretty easy. I just need to get my tension a bit more even. And if I have any questions, I know where to look :) So wish me luck! :)

But yeah, comment if you've ever used a knitting Nellie. :)