Boston, to answer your question..............I use an embroidery needle with a large eye for the No. 5 pearle cotton floss. i wet the end and flatten it between my finger nails to thread the needle. I use a finger cot to help bring the needle through the fabric. Hope that helps. You don't want the eye too large.in other words..not a needle for crewel embroidery.
Linda D.
PS. Sorry I couldn't send a message with a PM ........it wouldn't let me for some odd reason........I kept getting errors. I am on dial up this week........yuck......lol!