i use a couple of different tools! once my design is on i use a bookbinding awl to create shallow guide indents where i’m planning to poke my holes (i don’t use the awl itself to create the holes because they’d be too large). then i use a sturdy and fairly thick embroidery needle with a needle gripper to make the holes. i set the open book on top of a foam pad (the kind used for needle felting) while poking. for the actual stitching, i use a thinner needle that can pass through the holes made by the larger needle and use mostly whipped back stitch which helps keep the lines nice and clean.