I use a round wooden hoop that I got at Joann Fabrics several decades ago. It looks pretty similar to this one:
http://www.joann.com/edmunds-round-q...n/9814666.html. I like having one with the ability to adjust the spacing between the the hoops (by tightening or loosening the wing nut). This makes it possible to adjust the hoop for quilts with different thicknesses.
I've only hand quilted small pieces. If you are in a warm climate, you may want look into getting some sort of quilt stand to get the quilt off your lap and keep you from getting too warm from having a quilt in your lap.