Gwyn,
I always take just one strand for quilting and I use different brands of quilting thread. My favourite is YLI, but I also like King Tut of Superior Threads and the Guetermann brand. For hand sewing I also use hand quilting thread.
The tangling of your thread can be a result of it's twisting. Try to thread your needle with the end that hangs down of your spool and knot the end you just cut. If this doesn't work do it vice versa. Maybe that helps! (I hope you understand what I mean...it's not so easy to explain it in a foreign language!)