When you wet the needle, the moisture grabs the thread and holds it while you push it through the eye of the needle. I teach all my kids in sewing class to do that. Thread is made up of several strands woven together. When you wet the thread, you release the strands and it starts to unravel, then you have to push several strands through the needle and we end up trimming the thread and starting all over. Also, you can buy needles with bigger eyes now. Most helpful!