STYLE FILE: Crochet Braids

[cmw45]

Style File: The idea is that by creating a single thread dedicated to a particular hair style members could 1) post their own attempts at the particular hairstyle, 2) post links to demonstrations of the hairstyle 3) photos of themselves or celebrities with a particular style 4) ask questions about achieving that style and 4) EASILY find information about a particular hairstyle.

While it will definitely depend on member participation to determine how much of a resource the thread will become, I figured it was worth a shot. The only “rules” I would suggest are 1) that if you post in the thread it's because you have something to contribute (i.e. a link, sharing about the style, etc. and not just "Thanks" or "I like that look") and that we could encourage member to thank members for their useful post by using the "Thanks" button. And the only reason I suggest this is to prevent the thread from become too large and so that members can easily find information. 2) We stick one style per thread. That way members know that the advice and tips are in reference to the style being discussed.

So what do we think?

In this first "Style File" I have put together information about crochet braids. Other great "Style Files" could be done on yarn braids, buns, full head weaves, partial wigs, cornrows, braid outs, twist outs, individual braids etc. (I know there are plenty of “masters” at particular hair styles and it would be great to have all their knowledge and information in one place.) A thread with all the information you ever wanted to know about a particular hairstyle.

Crochet Braids

Style Definition: Cornrowing the natural hair (with or without extensions) as a base for extensions to be added to the hair in a manner similar to crocheting. The hair being attached to the cornrow may be loose/bulk hair or individual braids.

Tools: Crochet needle or beader and extension hair. You may also need scissors to trim the final style, curved needle and thread to sew the ends of the cornrows to the base.

Links to Demonstrations:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTDxOgUM1vI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM880dH9mcQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVyBwapyHuA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3VbBZdvizI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhP5DaXBcok&feature=video_response

Links to LHCF threads:


http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=342533&highlight=crochet+braids

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=404896&highlight=crochet+braids

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=431144&highlight=crochet+braids

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=406872&highlight=crochet+braids

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=269449&highlight=crochet+braids

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=383320&highlight=crochet+braids

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=32696&highlight=crochet+braids

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=32696&highlight=crochet+braids

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=363405&highlight=crochet+braids


Links to Maintenance/Updates:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz5gxm6S64E&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idVKBiQ2Ozk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXFRiIqIOPo


HTH and again, please feel free to create new style files or whatever and to add links or share information about this style.

 

[tailormade84]

i tried this style with no success the amount of hair it took to achieve the fullness I desired was MASSIVE! it ended up being too heavy and too expensive. I'd love to hear ideas of how people "made it work" with 3-4 bags of hair.

 

[Aviah]

Deleted post.

 

[naturalmanenyc]

Great idea. I had my crochet braids done with curly hair and two strand twisted.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZJ2pzKSLHA

 

[cmw45]

i tried this style with no success the amount of hair it took to achieve the fullness I desired was MASSIVE! it ended up being too heavy and too expensive. I'd love to hear ideas of how people "made it work" with 3-4 bags of hair.

These are good points. Most of the youtubers who have done them did them with one or two bags of hair. They also tended to use curly hair, although, one link does include a style done with straight hair. Another point is that they also tended to use synthetic hair...which is cheaper.


Crochet Braids

Hair: Straight or curly hair can be used. The most popular hair type used in the links above are curly hair. Synthetic or human hair can be used. Popular synthetic hair types include ModelModel and Freetress.

Cost: The cost is determined by several things. Whether you do it, or you have someone else do it. Whether or not you can cornrow yourself or whether you have to pay someone to do it. Whether or not you use human or synthetic hair and how much hair (how many packs) you used.

Style Viability: As with most styles, it varies. The minimum length of time wearers got out of their style, for a style done with synthetic hair, seems to be four weeks.

Style Variations: Some wears weave the back and just crochet braid the front to save install time.

Removal: Most wearers state that it is just a matter of unraveling the cornrows and the extension hair falls out. Some wearers cut the extention hair first to make cornrow removal easier.

 

[LadyPaniolo]

i tried this style with no success the amount of hair it took to achieve the fullness I desired was MASSIVE! it ended up being too heavy and too expensive. I'd love to hear ideas of how people "made it work" with 3-4 bags of hair.

I also tried this style with no success. Perhaps I was making the pieces of hair to small and packing it too close together... when I see youtubers successful results, it turns out they used curly or wavy styles and only put a plug of extension hair every inch or so, at least in some places.

I had tried it with a very straight extension hair and I felt like my big thick cornrows would show through.... I ended up taking it out long before I even finished.

ETA: Oh, I see cmw45 and I posted simultaneously.

 

[cmw45]

I also tried this style with no success. Perhaps I was making the pieces of hair to small and packing it too close together... when I see youtubers successful results, it turns out they used curly or wavy styles and only put a plug of extension hair every inch or so, at least in some places.

I had tried it with a very straight extension hair and I felt like my big thick cornrows would show through.... I ended up taking it out long before I even finished.

ETA: Oh, I see cmw45 and I posted simultaneously.

LOL. Awe. I think you do bring up a good point. Most of the youtubers do space the hair quite a bit a ways apart. They also tend to put more hair in the middle and the back and less at the front. (You'll notice that when they lift their hair that you can see there is little to no hair added at the front on the sides.)

Another good point that you bring up is the number of cornrows. Most youtubers do between 10 and 16, with 14 and 16 being more popular.

 

[OhmyKimB]

I'm going to try this next weekend. Let you guys know how it goes and what I do to my hair!

 

[KinkyGenius]

Other than wearing the hair down or in a ponytail, what are some styles that people are putting their curly crochet braids in?

 

[lilsparkle825]

I did mine with 1.5 packs of water wave and 11 braids. I did my sister's with 1 pack and 10 strands from my leftover pack, and 12 braids. Also, straight hair/loose wave doesn't get the same great results, from what I have seen.

 

[jerseygurl]

I did my own hair with one and a half bags and it was okay, I wore it for two weeks. I used freetress water wave. I put a little bit of hair on the sides and a lot on top and got all the fullness I wanted.

I did not take any pictures unfortunately but I will the next time I get it done

 

[Violets-are-blue]

I did this style for a friend last week. (Learned to cornrow so I could do it) I think it was pretty good for my first time ever doing it. I think we needed 3-4 packs. She used kinky wavy hair. We failed at separating the hair since we didn't have gel to help the synthetic hair maintain the kinky wave when separating and ended up putting more in then needed. (hence why I think we needed 3-4 instead of 2-3) It ended up being huge but pretty cool looking. I think she likes it at least. It didn't cost too much for her I think since she used synthetic.

Lesson learned.
1. Separate pieces that are small but adequate for each latch hook bit. You probably don't need a huge amount per piece to create fullness especially if the hair has curl to it.

 

[winona]

Bumping