does anyone quilt with a hoop in their lap? If so, do you still have to use your hand under the fabric while using the needle like you do with the floor frames?

Yes, I do and I have the other hand under it. Make sure the fabric isn't too taut in the hoop. Makes it easier to stitch.
I just bought these awesome "thimbles" called Thimble It.
They are ovals that you use on the quilting finger and I think you could also use one for the underneath finger.
I got them on ebay b/c I couldn't find them at Joann's.

so all I do is rest the hoop frame on the unquilted part of the quilt so my hand is free under the hoop and the needle in the other hand?

Yes this is what I do. I am not holding the hoop at all and I have a plain hoop, not the kind that has a lap stand. I am right handed so my left hand is underneath and I feel for the needle with my index finger my right hand is manipulating the needle. I kind of bunch things up to get the hoop at the angle I like. I am constantly manipulating it too because I can only hand quilt towards me or away from me. As much as I have tried I can't go side to side.

I handquilt away from myself because I have trouble with my hands and cant curve my right hand. Ive been looking for those thimble things you were talking about.

I quilt with my left hand under the quilt. My father-in-law made me a lap hoop so it's really comfortable. I always quilt toward myself but would like to learn to quilt away from myself so I will know how when I get room to set up my big floor frame.

You can get them on ebay. They are called Thimble It and are inexpensive. You get 60 of them.

[quote=honeybee_2000]I handquilt away from myself because I have trouble with my hands and cant curve my right hand. Ive been looking for those thimble things you were talking about.[quote=feline fanatic]The thimbles I use are TJ Lane Thimbles. Ridiculously expensive because essentially they are like a piece of jewelery (sterling silver). They are beautiful and can be worn like jewelery if you put them on a chain around your neck and they are priced as much as a piece of fine silver jewelery. I use them because they are the best functioning thimble I have ever found and the only thimble I have actually been able to use. Here is a link to the kind I have. I bought mine several years ago and the price has gone up but it is still crazy expensive and most people are not willing to pay that much for a thimble. I know I wasn't but I found them at a show and when I tried it and was actually able to use it... Well I figured all the thimbles and gadgets I have purchased over the years that DIDN'T work probably added up to this.

http://www.thimbles2fit.com/cgi-bin/...es=0&lastmenu=

I love those thimbles but have never been able to use them!!
You really have to try out a lot of different ones to see which one works for you.

Yikes! $80!!! I guess I could save up for one. I would feel awful if I lost it. As you say, they are beautiful!