The lark's head knot is the first knot you tie in almost every macrame project. It is a simple mounting knot made by folding a cord in half, placing the loop over a dowel or ring, and pulling both tails through the loop to anchor them. But there are actually five distinct variations, each with its own look and purpose — and knowing all five gives you far more control over how your projects start and how their edges look.
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Why the Lark's Head Knot Matters
Most beginners learn one version and move on. The problem is that the wrong variation for the wrong project creates mounting edges that look messy or collapse under tension. Different variations also open up different design possibilities: some create flat clean edges, others create raised textured ridges, and the vertical version lets you build entire woven sections from scratch.
Before you try any of these variations, make sure you have the right cord. Thin cord is harder to work with when you are still learning the motion. A Macrame Cord for Beginners (4mm 100m Roll) is ideal — it is thick enough to see clearly what each knot is doing, but not so bulky that it becomes stiff. Use code KNOT10 for 10% off your first order. Mount your cords onto a 12" Wooden Dowels (5pc/pack) to practice each variation side by side.
For a broader overview of foundational knots, see the beginner's guide to macrame before diving into these variations.
The 5 Lark's Head Knot Variations
Step 1: Cut and Fold Your Cord
Before tying any lark's head variation, cut a cord length and fold it in half. You work with the folded cord, not a single strand. The fold creates the loop that goes onto the dowel, and both tails become your working cords.
A good practice length for learning is about 60–80 cm (24–32 inches) per folded cord. This gives you enough tail to see the knot clearly without too much excess hanging around.
Step 2: Standard Lark's Head Knot
This is the default version used in most macrame projects.
Place the loop in front of the dowel so it drapes over the top and hangs down the back. Take both tails and pull them down and through the loop from front to back. Pull both tails firmly downward to tighten.
The result: the knot sits on the back of the dowel, and the tails hang cleanly on the front. This gives a smooth, flat appearance at the top of your piece — ideal for wall hangings where you want a tidy mounting edge that disappears into the design.
When to use it: Wall hangings, plant hangers, any project where the mounting bar is decorative and you want the front to look clean.
Step 3: Reverse Lark's Head Knot
The reverse lark's head creates a raised ridge along the front of the dowel, which is a design feature rather than just a mounting technique.
Place the loop behind the dowel so it comes over the top and hangs down the front. Take both tails and pull them down and through the loop from back to front. Tighten by pulling both tails down.
The result: the knot sits on the front of the dowel, creating a visible bumpy texture along the mounting bar. When you mount an entire row of cords using the reverse version, the front of the dowel gets a neat raised ridge that looks intentional and decorative.
When to use it: Projects where the mounting bar is part of the visual design. Also useful when your dowel has a rough surface that you want covered — the front-facing knots hide imperfections.
Step 4: Double Lark's Head Knot
The double lark's head adds a second layer to the standard knot for extra security and a bolder visual knot.
Start by tying a standard lark's head knot as described above. Then take each tail individually and loop it back up and over the dowel once more, pulling it down through the loop you just created. Do this with both tails separately.
The result is a knot that is twice as thick and firmly locked onto the dowel. It does not slide or slip under tension, which is useful for heavier projects or cords that have a slick surface.
When to use it: Large or heavy wall hangings, projects using braided cord (which can slip with a single lark's head), or any time you want extra bulk at the mounting row as part of the design.
Step 5: Vertical Lark's Head Knot
The vertical lark's head knot is different from the other four — it is not a mounting knot at all. Instead, it is a knotting technique that builds solid woven-looking sections by working sideways.
Hold a horizontal cord taut between two anchor points — this is your holding cord. Fold a second cord in half. Place the loop behind the holding cord, then pull both tails down and through the loop (same motion as a standard lark's head, but sideways). Tighten. This ties one vertical lark's head knot onto the holding cord.
Keep adding cords the same way, working along the holding cord from one side to the other. Each new cord adds a knot that hangs perpendicular to the holding cord. When you build up many rows, you create a dense woven section that looks completely different from standard macrame.
When to use it: Creating solid woven panels in wall hangings, building decorative bands across a piece, and advanced pattern work. If you have seen macrame that looks almost like weaving in sections, the vertical lark's head knot is usually responsible.
Step 6: Alternating Lark's Head Pattern
This is not a single knot — it is a pattern made by combining standard and reverse lark's head knots in sequence.
Mount a full row of cords on a dowel using standard lark's head knots. Then, on the next mounting row or section, alternate: tie one standard, one reverse, one standard, one reverse. Because the standard knot faces backward and the reverse faces forward, the alternating pattern creates a subtle checkerboard texture along the mounting edge.
When to use it: When you want a decorative mounting edge with a repeating pattern. Works especially well on wide pieces where the top edge is prominently visible.
Choosing the Right Variation
| Situation | Best variation | |---|---| | Standard wall hanging, clean edge | Standard | | Dowel or ring as design feature | Reverse | | Heavy project, slick cord | Double | | Woven panel sections | Vertical | | Decorative patterned edge | Alternating |
The easiest way to learn all five is to mount a row of each on the same dowel back to back. You can see the differences side by side and refer back to them later.
Cord Thickness and Lark's Head Results
Cord thickness changes how these knots look and behave:
- 1.5mm–2mm cord — Very fine knots, almost invisible at the mounting edge. Good for jewelry and fine detail work. See the macrame cord size guide for more on sizing.
- 3mm–4mm cord — The best range for learning all five variations. Knots are clear and visible but not bulky. Recommended for beginners.
- 5mm+ cord — Very bold knots with strong visual presence. The reverse and double lark's head in thick cord create a dramatic chunky edge.
For a deeper look at how different cord materials affect knotting, see cotton vs bamboo macrame cord.
Common Mistakes With Lark's Head Knots
Knots sliding along the dowel — Tighten each knot firmly before moving to the next. With slippery synthetic cord, use the double variation.
Uneven spacing — Push knots together or apart before they fully tighten. Once tight, they are hard to move. Adjust as you go, not after a full row.
Loop facing the wrong direction — If the knot looks different from what you expected, you started with the loop on the wrong side of the dowel. Reverse and retry.
Cords too short after mounting — Remember that folding a cord in half uses up half the length as the loop. Plan cord lengths accordingly. The how to measure cord for macrame plant hangers guide has a useful formula for calculating lengths before you cut.
What's Next
With all five lark's head variations in your toolkit, you are ready to apply them in a real project. Try starting a wall hanging using the reverse lark's head for a decorative mounting edge — the macrame wall hanging ideas post has plenty of designs where that edge treatment really stands out. If you want to keep building your knot vocabulary, the 5 macrame knots every beginner should learn guide covers the square knot, half hitch, and spiral knot that you will use alongside the lark's head in almost every project.
