I have hand quilted for 13 years and just love it. Sure takes time though. I have tried a floor hoop frame but much prefer a hoop that I can just hold in my lap. Never have mastered quilting with no hoop at all. Just cannot do it. I have learned that if I run my thread through a Bounce Dryer Sheet a few times, it will tangle less. I love Guttermans (sp?) handquilting thread. I pick it up at Hancocks or JoAnn's.
Another thing that helps me get better stitches is to not have my quilt in the hoop too tight. Before I tighten the hoop I will push the quilt down in the middle as if a kitten had laid in the center of it then tighten it. That is the only way I can describe it. LOL Not too loose but not too tight. Hope this might help.