Pclfal62, As William said I would check to see that you are winding the right direction first. It is not as hard to do as you think 
been there and done that several times. If you are winding the right direction, you may have to bend the end of the spring just a bit. Also once you are ready to wind hold a little pressure on the spring, so that the nub has a chance to hook the end. Once you start winding, the tension on the spring should hold it there 
Mahlon
