I use wool to tie. It shrinks up nice and stays knotted. It is what I grew up with. I never heard of quilting before I was in college. All I had ever seen is tied with wool batting in between. We had gravity coal furnace in Wisconsin. We needed the thick warm comforters. I had a crazy quilt I just loved. I don't remember if it was tied or what. I just remember looking at all the pieces - I never got tired of looking at it. My sister doesn't remember it.