Thanks everyone for the help and guidance.
To answer a few points - the stainless reel I use is a Hewes reel. I read they were 'best' for medium format but I have struggled as stated originally. This guy makes it look like childs play!!! . For 35mm, I have a plastic reel, and that is so easy. I just feed it in and rotate the wheel - not had a single prblem there. Is there a reel for 120 that has a similar kind of mecahnism to the Patterson 35mm reels?
I like the sound of the sharp pencil idea, and running around the endge of the reel. That sounds very logical and I will try that next time as well.
I have to use a changing bag as I do not have a dark enough room. I did try this time at making my hands cold under running water first, and drying them, which I also found helped.
I guess it's just a learning curve.
Your 35mm plastic reel is most likely an adjustable reel. If so, you can switch it to 120 size.
You will most likely find that loading 120 in a Paterson or Paterson clone reel is a bit different than loading 35mm - the film is both larger and less stiff. Getting the film started is the hard part. And of course there are no sprocket holes.
The sharp pencil idea is really only practical for plastic reels - not steel ones.
If you must use a changing bag, put something like a frame or small cardboard box inside it so it stays off your hands and at least a little air flows around your hands.
Once you start having regular success with the steel reels, they really work well. So get a couple of sacrificial rolls to practice with, and practice - both outside the changing bag first, and then inside the changing bag later.