Im am new to quilting and hand quilting myself. I have found that one of the rubber fingers from an office supply work really good. Its enough to protect your finger cause it will get poked. However, when you ae doing the rocking motion you need to feel the needle come through the fabric just barely and then rock it back up. I found that if I had a think thimble I couldn't feel at all, and if I wore no thimble I had to limit my quilt time cause my finger would get so sore.
Once you start hand quilting you will have to try many different things and keep in mind what works for one person may not work for the next person. All of these ladies have wonderful suggestions and are a wealth of information. Good luck and happy quilting.
Diane