Shibari Academy

The Lark's Head is a great introduction to the world of "hitches", another very important term in your Shibari journey. A hitch is a technique that allows you to attach one rope to another, to an anchor, or to a fixed post. In the case of the Lark's Head Hitch, you start by folding the rope in half to create a loop (or "bight") and then passing the loop around the object. You will then pass the two ends of the rope through the loop that you just created. 

The Lark's Head not only works to attach the rope to a fixed post, it is actually the starting point of many ties in Shibari. Check out the Lark's Head Single Column Tie and the Lark's Head Double Column Tie to give you an idea of how the Lark's Head is used in more complex ties. 

Besides being the starting point of several ties, the Lark's head can also be used to attach one rope to another when you run out of rope in the middle of a tie. To be honest, this is my preferred technique to attach ropes during ties because of its speed. Nothing beats a technique that can be applied in a couple of seconds even if it's not the most beautiful nor comfortable way of attaching two ropes. Having the ability to continue tying without almost any interruption is powerful.

At first, the Lark's head doesn't look like much and it is weird to think that it will be able to hold onto another rope effectively as it is basically just a loop. However, because of the material with which natural fiber ropes are made, it creates enough friction to hold steadfast under tension. Give the lark's head a try as a technique to attach two ropes. Play with the amount of tension necessary for the hitch to hold. Before you know it, you will be doing it in your sleep. 

Have fun tying!

Eve