I take a paper punch and punch a hole in the round rubber needle puller and then thread the disk on a 1/4" wide ribbon in a length that is long enough to go over my head easy and long enough to be close to my work....it is always handy and a lot easier to keep up with especially when quilting on the go. This works for me.

I buy my finger cots at the quilt store. Brand name is FINGER GLOVES They are thinner and and not as bulky. They have 12 6 large and 6 medium.

I use scissor type eyebrow tweezers, they have ridged

grips on the tips and work well for me. I have also

used the wide rubber from broccoli cut about 2", in

length, easy to pick up and hold, plus it's free, if you

like broccoli. lol

Hi Boston,

I have this little tool which you keep on your finger the whole time you're sewing and when you get to a tough bit, the needle pokes through the hole and you push the plunger to grasp it then pull through. I can't get on with it at all, so if you think it could be useful to you, PM me your address and I'll send it over. :-D

Thank you for that lovely offer, and for taking the time to show a picture of the item. Someone else had mentioned something called finger gloves. I believe I am leaning in that direction. I do appreciate the thought.

You're welcome! x

yes, and dear sister if you come over, I can give you some.

I have used most of the ideas listed above. The thin finger cots would lose their grip too soon, maybe using Thread heaven caused that. The nubby finger cots like the ones in stationary stores didn't seem to grip well either. My favorite is a small finger cot by Bohin it is thicker than the balloon type, but not as thick as the nubby ones, and it has a few tiny holes cut out of it for air circulation, and a perforated spot for your fingernail, if needed. The only problem with it is I use a large and I don't consider my fingers all that large. I normally use a small/medium thimble. So someone with truely large fingers, probably wouldn't fit into this. I think this is the largest size they make. But for me this is the best.

get a small pair of pliers (the kind they use making jewelry) at the craft store.