How to Tie a Reverse Lark's Head + Half Hitch Knot (Step-by-Step)

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Decorative Knot Tutorial  ·  Updated May 23, 2026  ·  12 min read  ·  Phase 1

The reverse lark's head plus half hitch knot — sometimes shortened to RLHPHH — is the decorative upgrade to the basic reverse lark's head. You tie a standard reverse lark's head first, then add a single half hitch on each side. The result: a sturdier, more polished mounting knot with a small V-shape on either side that adds texture and structure to the top of any macramé wall hanging.

Written by Nicole Woo

Founder of Bochiknot · Teaching macramé since 2018

This knot is what I reach for whenever I want a wall hanging's top edge to look intentional. The basic reverse lark's head is perfectly fine — but adding the two half hitches gives the mounting row a sculpted, almost architectural quality that elevates the whole piece. It's a small change with a disproportionate impact on how finished your work looks.

Below is the complete walkthrough: what the knot is, why combining these two knots works, how to tie it step by step (with the diagram), when to use it instead of a plain lark's head, projects that show it off, common mistakes I see in classes, and an FAQ covering the questions students always ask.

What Is the Reverse Lark's Head + Half Hitch Knot?

The reverse lark's head plus half hitch knot is a decorative combination mounting knot. You tie a regular reverse lark's head to mount the cord onto your dowel, then add one half hitch knot on each side of it. The two half hitches sit just below the reverse lark's head, forming a small symmetrical V shape that frames the mount point.

It's used in the same places you'd use a plain lark's head — to attach cord to a dowel, ring, or branch at the start of a macramé project — but it adds two extra elements:

• Decorative texture. The half hitches on each side create visible angular detail that draws the eye to the top of your piece.
• Extra grip. The half hitches lock the lark's head in place against the dowel, which helps with slippery cord or heavy projects.
• A polished finish. The mounting row stops looking "functional" and starts looking "designed."

You'll sometimes see this knot abbreviated as RLHPHH in pattern guides and macramé forums. It's the same knot.

Why Combine These Two Knots?

This is the question I get every time I teach the RLHPHH in a class. The honest answer is that the combination solves three small problems at once:

1. Visual rhythm at the top of a wall hanging

A row of plain reverse lark's heads looks neat — but flat. A row of reverse lark's heads with half hitches on each side creates a repeating pattern across the top that draws the eye horizontally. It's especially striking on minimalist pieces where the top edge is fully visible against a clean wall.

2. Grip and security on slippery cord

If you're working with braided cord, synthetic cord, or large-diameter cord on a smooth dowel, a plain lark's head can shift under tension. The two half hitches act like little anchor points that lock the mounting knot in place. Same logic as why sailors add extra wraps to high-load knots — more friction = more security.

3. Bridge between mounting and pattern

The half hitches in this knot use the same technique you'll use later in the piece for diagonal lines (the double half hitch knot). Practicing them up front means your hands learn the motion before they have to repeat it in a pattern context. It's a gentle skill-build.

What You'll Need

Same as any beginner macramé knot — three things, and you can practice on scrap cord.

How to Tie the Reverse Lark's Head + Half Hitch Knot (Step-by-Step)

This knot takes about 10 seconds once you've practiced it. Here's the walkthrough — the diagram below shows all four steps at a glance, then the detailed instructions follow.

That's it. Four steps, about 10 seconds once it's muscle memory.

When and Where to Use This Knot

This is a decorative mounting knot, so it shines in places where the mounting row is part of the visual design — not just a starting point. Here's where I use it most:

Avoid it on: jewelry, keychains, hidden mounting rows, projects where the dowel itself will be covered (e.g. some hat hangers).

RLHPHH vs. Plain Reverse Lark's Head

Both are reverse lark's heads at the core. The half hitches are the only difference. Here's the quick comparison:

For a deeper dive on the underlying knot, see my complete lark's head knot tutorial — it covers both the standard and reverse versions step by step.

Variations

Once you've got the basic RLHPHH down, three small variations expand what you can do with it.

1. Double half hitch version

Instead of one half hitch per side, tie two stacked half hitches per side (a double half hitch). This bulks up the V-shape and creates more pronounced angular detail. Best for chunky cord (5mm+) or large-scale wall hangings where a single half hitch would look too small relative to the cord weight.

2. Asymmetrical RLHPHH

Tie the half hitch only on one side — typically the right — instead of both. Creates a leaning, deliberately off-balance look that's interesting on asymmetric designs. Less common but striking in modern minimalist pieces.

3. Triple-stacked decorative mount

Reverse lark's head + half hitch + a second smaller half hitch directly below the first. Creates a longer cascading V-shape that reads almost like fringe at the top of your piece. Best on larger statement wall hangings where the top edge is a major visual element.

Common Mistakes

After teaching this knot in classes for years, I see four mistakes on repeat:

1. Tying a standard lark's head instead of a reverse. The base must be a REVERSE lark's head — bumps facing the back — or the half hitches will sit awkwardly. If your starting knot has bumps facing the front, you've tied the wrong base. Untie and redo from step 1.
2. Mismatched half hitch angles left vs. right. The two half hitches should mirror each other. If the right leans down-right and the left leans down-left at different steepness, the V-shape will look crooked. Tighten one or the other to match.
3. Pulling one half hitch tighter than the other. Uneven tension makes the lark's head shift sideways slightly. Always pull both half hitches with the same firm downward pressure.
4. Forgetting which direction the half hitch wraps. The right half hitch wraps clockwise around the dowel; the left wraps counterclockwise (mirror). Beginners sometimes do both the same direction, which makes one side look "off" without an obvious reason why.

Troubleshooting

"My half hitches keep sliding loose"

Two likely causes: (1) you didn't pull the half hitch tight enough at the end — push down firmly until it locks against the dowel; or (2) you're using slippery cord. Switch to single-strand cotton cord for better grip, or add an extra wrap to each half hitch to bulk it up.

"The V-shape looks crooked or uneven"

Inconsistent angles between the left and right half hitches. Compare the two by looking straight on at the dowel — they should mirror each other exactly. If one is steeper, loosen and re-tie that side at the matching angle.

"My lark's head bumps are showing on the front"

You tied a standard lark's head instead of a reverse. The base of the RLHPHH must be a reverse lark's head (smooth front, bumps on the back). Untie everything and restart from step 1 of the reverse lark's head technique.

"The whole knot looks too big / bulky"

You may have used the double half hitch variation by accident. Single half hitches should be small, neat, and sit close against the lark's head. If they look like the chunky knots you'd see in a diagonal pattern, you tied a double when you meant a single.

Projects That Use This Knot

Every project here benefits from the decorative top edge that the RLHPHH provides. Each one starts with a row of these knots across the dowel before any other knotting begins.

1. Modern minimalist wall hanging — A row of 6–10 RLHPHH knots across a 12-inch dowel, then a few rows of square knots, finished with a clean horizontal trim. The decorative top edge is the focal point.
2. Statement geometric wall hanging — RLHPHH across the dowel, then diamond patterns using double half hitches below. The V-shape at the top echoes the V-shapes in the pattern for visual rhythm.
3. Ring-based wall hanging — Mount RLHPHH knots around a 10–12 inch wooden ring instead of a dowel. The V-shapes radiate outward beautifully on a curved base.
4. Macramé garland or banner — A horizontal cord with RLHPHH knots mounting decorative tassels at intervals. Common for nursery decor and seasonal banners.
5. Heavyweight plant hanger — Mount your cords on a wooden ring with RLHPHH for extra grip, then continue with standard plant-hanger sennits below. The extra security matters more on heavier pots.

Reverse Lark's Head + Half Hitch FAQ

Your Next Macramé Knot

The RLHPHH is one of several decorative variations you can build on the basic knots. Once you've got it down, these are the natural next steps:

• The lark's head knot — standard and reverse · The foundation this combo builds on
• The square knot — the workhorse · The next knot you'll tie below this mount row
• The double half hitch — for diagonals · Same half-hitch technique, scaled up for patterns
• The gathering knot — how you finish · The neck of every plant hanger

Or jump back to the complete beginner's guide to macramé for the full Phase 1 foundation.

Nicole Woo — Founder, Bochiknot

Macramé educator & designer · Teaching since 2018

Nicole is a self-taught macramé artist who left a career in accounting to teach the craft full-time. Through Bochiknot, she's helped thousands of beginners take their first knot — sharing step-by-step tutorials on YouTube, premium cotton cord in the shop, and beginner-friendly kits.

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