Ooo! I first used Glissen Gloss. That design used it on a cat. When done, I told myself, "Never again!" That was in 1974.
With aging, I did receive a bit of patience (I do warn others to not push it). I did what you did, bigger needle, shorter strands,
smoothing it between my fingers, but now get great success with this and with Krenik metallic floss. Just buy one little box-shaped amount. It lasts a long time. Unlike beeswax, it leaves no sticky residue and allows the floss to glide!