Besides the needle having a larger eye, you might want to check how the thread is coming off the spool.
It needs to unwind as it went on the spool.
If I set my thread on the machine
( upright ) and lift it up and hook it, then thread the machine, the thread is twisting as it goes up to the hook, don't want that.
Hold your thread with your index finger on top of the spool, and your thumb on the bottom, watch and pull the thread away from the spool, it doesn't twist.