How to do Crochet Braids

Doing Crochet Braids without the Hassle

You might be dying to get some Rapunzel braids for your glow up this summer. But you’re not willing to sit for ten hours in a chair having someone pull and twist your hair.

Well the journey to getting your braids doesn’t have to be uncomfortable.

For a more time-saving and less intensive way of getting your Pinterest board braids, here is a guideline to help you out.

Why Crochet Braids should be your next hairstyle

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Crochet braids are low maintenance hairstyles which are installed by using a latch hook needle on cornrowed natural hair. This style gained popularity within the black community in the 90’s and has made a valiant return thanks to the natural hair movement that has swept the USA. The cool thing about the crochet braids is that they look realistic and serve as a good protective style.

They are also time efficient. Crochet braids are as easy to put in as they are to take out, making them suitable for D.I.Y. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to do them as they only take about three hours to install. Like the weave, the first step is to cornrow your hair and then follow up with applying extensions. However, the difference is that the hair on crochet is loose and it is looped under the cornrows with a needle and fortified with a knot.

The best part about crochet braids is that they are inexpensive. The extensions won’t cost you more than $50 (unless you like your fiber high end) and you do not need to get a lot of materials to get them done.

How to Install Crochet Braids

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Things you will need:
Five to six pieces of fiber hair extension, preferably Kanekalon (Depending on the size of your head and the length of your hair. The bigger you head and the longer the style, the more extension you need)
Crochet needle (look in your local beauty store or on Amazon)
Comb
Scissors
Moisturizer and sealant

One of our favourite hair vloggers The Chic Natural shows how you can get stunning crochet box braids.

1. Before you braid your hair, wash it with shampoo and hydrate with conditioner.
2. To keep it simple, braid your cornrows front to back. The bigger the cornrows, the smaller the volume of the hair.
3. Tuck your ends by collecting them into one cornrow.
4. Prepare fiber. Ensure that all the strands of extensions you pick are the same size to maintain evenness.
5. Take the latch.
6. Open latch and insert extension.
7. Start from the top of your scalp and work your way down.
8. Close latch and pull the needle underneath your own natural hair.
9. Take out needle on the other side and make a round loop with your hands on the fiber.
10. Pull the fiber through the loop and then pass through the tail of the fiber.
11. Secure the fiber by pulling the tail all the way to tighten. Make sure that the braids are not too big or thick as that can cause stress on your head. Repeat until you complete your hair
12. If you want to make it look more natural, leave one line in front of your head and braid it normally. Or to add versatility to the hairstyle, you can leave out some hair to show your popping edges. Ensure that you take care of the hair by spraying it with conditioner. Try to use fiber that is similar to your natural hair texture for a unified look.

How to remove crochet braids

1. Simply cut the fiber as close to the knots. Do it in front of a mirror to ensure that you’re not cutting your own hair
2. Spray moisturizer to your hair to give your hair more slip to make it easier to undo it.
3. After removing the extensions, unravel your cornrows and the knots should fall off.

Do’s and Don’ts of Crochet Braid maintenance

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DO

• Clean your hair weekly. It will be difficult to get to your scalp, so use a cotton ball sprayed with water-diluted apple cider vinegar and gently massage it on your scalp. WARNING: apple cider vinegar does have a strong smell so do this when you know that you’ll be in the house all day.
• Co-wash your fiber extensions and use products according to the texture of the hair
• Moisturize regularly by spraying diluted leave in conditioner and then apply your favourite oil to hydrate your hair.
• Cover your crochet braids with a satin bonnet before going to bed or get some satin or silk pillows.
• Try different styles and colours with your braids. Make it fun to add a whole new dimension to your look

Read more about maintaining your hair braids here.

DON’T

• Keep your braids in longer than eight weeks. Your hair needs to be detangled properly. If you go to long without regular care, your hair will be more vulnerable and thus likely to break off.
• Use heavy braids. It causes stress and strain on your strands which could cause breakage.
• Apply the crochet too tight. Skin tight braids causes mechanical stress and puts the health of your hair in jeopardy.
• Scratch your hair. Having your fingers in your hair can cause scrapes and cuts on your scalp which could cause miniature bleeding. This can leave you exposed to infections.

Don’t be stingy. Tell a friend to tell a friend to tell another friend that you can have the braids you want without the inconvenience. Also, head to the comments section and let us know what’s on your mind – or on your head ☺!