Like NJ Quilter I keep a rubber finger on my 1st finger to help pull the needle through when hand quilting. I have also used that wide rubber band like comes on broccoli. I was knotting a quilt a couple weeks ago and the needle just wouldn't go through the fabric. I covered my needle nose pliers with duct tape, so it didn't mark the needle, and pulled the needle through with them.
Yes - I covered the tips of my pliers prior to use as well. Had a paper tape that after a bit embedded itself in the grooves so no has a smooth but grippy surface on the inside and no damage to the needle.