I hand quilt and don't use a thimble. Of course I don't do a rocking stitch either - I do a stab stitch with my right hand on the bottom and left hand on top. I've got a good callous on my finger that pushed the needle through. When I tigers a little sore, I put a bandaid on it and that helps. My finger sweats in the thimble and the smell of the metal drives me nuts.