When I want to hand quilt fast I put one stitch on the needle at the time. There is no requirement that you put 12 stitches on the needle. It is what you are comfortable with. A good book is "How To Learn TO Hand Quilt In A Day" (and practice for the rest of your life) by Nancy Brenan Daniel. Alex Anderson has a good book on hand quilting as well. One must adapt to one's own limitations and comfort. Learn the basics and then adapt. Thimbles are another story which woud take three of these pages. Some can't use them and others can. If you can't then put a dab of "new skin" on the tip of your finger. It will help protect from the sharpness of the needle.