This is my preferred hoop size and I do almost all my embroidery through a hoop. The only exception being when I stitch close to edges or on certain garments which are too fiddly to attach a hoop to.

I always recommend a hoop to all my students because it helps you keep the correct fabric tension and thus makes your stitching look neater.

This is a basic bamboo hoop but perfectly good for all your embroideries. I have multiples of these as I usually work on several projects at once… I’m sure I’m not the only one! Haha!