You count only the stitches you see, not the spaces in between. You can count them either on the front or the back, doesn't matter, but either way, you only count the stitches you see, and even a partial stitch within the inch is counted.

your stitches are beautiful !

The jewelry pliers are a good tool for this. Regular needle nose pliers have striations that help you grip, but they would eat up a needle. Dharma Trading has a product that you paint on to the pliers that would help grip and leave no mark.

When I hand quilted I used a small pair of needle nose pliers that I found at the hardware store. My 80 year old friend and quilter told me about using it.

Needle puller/hedgehog
 

I am curious about the hedgehog as well. Have you tried it?

never tried the hedghog, don't think I would like it. My pliers works fine and if I need to worry able the needle breaking, I would just wrap some freezer tape on the nose, like some of my jewelry books advised.,

I've also used a small rubber disc to pull needles through. anything helps.