Stain advice needed

I need some advice from all of you talented Creators!! My daughter and son in law just purchased a beautiful new home and have entrusted me to makeover some of their existing furniture! I will be painting their table and chairs in Linen White Chalked Paint with some light distressing and I got some Varathane gel stain in black for the table top which I hope looks amazing! I’m not the best at applying stain so I need some advice on the best way to apply it, ex. rags, sponges, brushes? And is it best to just work small sections at a time? I really want this to come out beautifully so it will fit right in to their gorgeous new house! Thanks in advance for all the great advice I know I’ll be getting! Hope everyone is doing well!!