It is going to be very beautiful. Could you mix the knots you are making with silk ribbon embroidery knots so you didn't have to do so many of the little ones? Just an idea I thought of.

I've never used silk ribbon. I should think the knots might be overly large?
MK

I just bought a pkg. of 2 needle grippers by BOHIN for $1.59 at my LQS. I do a lot of hand buttonhole stitching on fusible applique and sometimes need to use one. They work great!!

Get some thin balloons. I bought mine at the dollar store. Cut the end (not the one you blow up) off about 1-1/2" long, and use that piece as a thimble on your finger. You can use several if you need to. I know the feeling. I would not use pliers of any kind because it will dull your needle. Another type of needle you could use is the long (6" of so) one that upholstery people use to attach the buttons. You can buy them at Joanns if you have one close. Keep the balloons handy, when one is all used up, cut another one. I have used this method for about 30 years. It is a natural thing for me to do. Also, you can try those rubber fingers you can buy at Staples. They are normally used when paging papers or money in an office. I keep them on hand too if I need them. I would try any of these. Good luck. It will be beautiful in the end. Another idea is to push several needles thru at different places from the back and then go to the front and pull them thru.

Use a pair of artery forceps (haemostats) to pull the needle through

The small jewelry pliers would be your best bet, no more sore fingers.

I keep a hemostat clamp handy for things like this. Just grab the needle and pull it through the fabric. I think they are available at Fabricland or maybe Lens Mills.

Try a large milliners needle. The eye on most needles is larger than the shaft. On milliners the eye is pretty much the same size as the shaft and should make it easier to pull through the fabric.