If you dont have access to a laying tool, you can also use an extra needle. I always keep a magnet on my work with a couple extra needles on it, this way I dont have to hold anything.
I made my own laying tool from a cheap metal adjustable childs ring, a long slightly blunted pin and a leather thimble. It fits onto my third finger of left hand when I sew. Simply solder the pin to the top of the ring, use all purpose glue to stick the leather thimble over the pin and voila... a laying tool. You wear it with the pin under the finger :)