I use a number 10 needle but you might want to try and use a bit larger one if you haven't been doing much hand quilting. Like was suggested if you are using a hoop...I always do...the quilt should be loose....I love any of the 80/20 batting for hand quilting. To me it needles so easy..like butter. I've used poly and some of it is pretty good...but nothing compares to the 80/20. I do a lot of hand quilting. I belong to a quilting club and that's all that is done is hand quilting. You just to experiment and find out what is best for you.