I use a "betweens" needle it is very sharp and small just over an inch long. You are supposed to use a rocking motion and get anything upto 12 stitches on the needle at a time. I am nowhere near that but what you need to aim for is consistency of size of stitches. I am a relative novice at handquilting but really like it although I have had real problems trying to find a suitable thimble. I have only worked on small pieces and just hold the fabric in my hand, tried once with a loop but could not seem to manage it. Hope that helps.