Overview

This is perhaps the most fundamental tie in all of rope bondage. The two knots it uses -- a lark's head, and a half hitch -- are essential techniques that you'll see over and over in hundreds of different patterns. I recommend attempting this first around your partner's torso, or practicing it on your own thigh; it works best on a large part of the body with some padding for the rope to sink into.

If you tie this around a wrist or ankle, you need to hold a couple fingers inside while you're tying it, to keep it from getting too tight; that can be tricky while you're a beginner, so I recommend starting with the double column version of this tie when tying the hands.

While this is not the most fast and efficient column tie that exists, it does reliably produce a safe, non-tightening cuff (often even if you make minor errors). Beware that some commonly taught column ties which at first blush seem very fast and easy have the hidden drawback that they don't actually work, in the sense that when you pull on the rope and/or the bottom struggles, the cuff can tighten and constrict the limb it is tied on.

For a more advanced column tie which is equally stable and faster, but harder to learn, take a look at the Somerville Bowline.

Other resources

• Photo Reference