Another option is to try a different method. I can't do a rocking stitich becasue it really bothers my wrist. So instead I do wha I call a running back stitch - I bring the needle up then back down behind where I came up, then bring the needle up again a little further up - rinse and repeat. I find I can regulate my stitch length easily and it creates a nice solid line on the wrong ide of the fabric (if you care about that...). The Quilt Police won't like it but I don't care- I like handwork and I don't like pain. So there!