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Oh yes! Most of the 3 barb needles are actually triangle shaped and the barbs are on each edge of the triangle. You have to have good light first of all, then you will hold your needle so that the flat side of the triangle is up and the edge is facing the doll head so it can catch the hairs. Go slowly at first and hold a few hairs in your fingers, making sure you see or feel the hairs being picked up by the barb upon insertion. You will naturally tend to lean your needle to one side or the other so try to stay straight on.
This actually is a very common problem and is easily correctible :)

I don't have much to add to Buffington's excellent description, except my little trick.  I have the old fashioned needle holder.  I put a mark on my holder that tells me where the flat side is.  That way all I need to do is find the mark on my holder. 

Glad to share what works for me.  Doesn't always mean it works for anyone else, but it's something to try. 

Hi there! I've been away from my doll rooting project for several months and just got back to it. I am determined to figure out how to use these size 43 barbed needles. I thought I had a pretty good idea of how to change my technique, but I'm still not catching hair with them. Obviously I'm picturing it wrong in my head, because several people have told me the same thing.  You counseled me to hold the needle so that the flat side us up and the edge faces the doll's head. So will this mean that the needle is going in at a sharp slant into the head and not aimed directly down into the scalp?

I ordered mohair from Slumberland Nursery this time. Everyone says they are the top of the line, and this mohair is gorgeous. It's the softest babylike hair they offer and is quite slick. I don't know if this enters into technique or not but I thought I'd supply the info anyway. If you have a few minutes sometime, would you mind giving me your input once again? Sorry to be a pest, but I can't seem to admit defeat yet!
Thanks!