If you get a hook in the needle, hold it at angle against a hard surface (like you were using it as a pen, only with a shallower angle) and roll it, applying pressure as you go.
That will generally get straighten it out enough to use.
What competion are you heading to?? It wouldn't happen to be MosquitoCon, would it??
I'll be there taking photos for the magazine, so stop over and say hi.
Jeff