Not only does a thimble protect your finger from pokes, it is a useful tool to push the needle. This prevents having to grip the needle too tightly with the thumb and forefinger, which reduces fatigue and makes neater stitches.
The thimble I like to use has a flat top with a small edge to hold the needle in place when pushing through thicker fabrics or layers of a quilt. It has circular indentations on the tip and also has indentations on the side. You can also push with the side of the thimble. I wear the thimble on my middle finger.
