That's It ... I Want Crochet Braids!

[loolalooh]

With all these threads poppin' up, y'all have convinced me to try them out ... I think. Who knows, I may change my mind this weekend.

Either way, this evening I'll head to the BSS for supplies, but first I have some questions since I've never done this before:

1) What tools do I need?
2) Are there any good youtube/blog tutorials?
3) How long do you keep them in? (A month should be fine, right?)
4) Any hair brand recommendations?
5) How many cornrows should I do and should they all go back? (I want to do as few as possible)

I know AfricanExport did a set (and hers were bangin') but I can't access youtube right now.erplexed

 

[beans4reezy]

You should send BlackMasterPiece a PM or check out her fotki. She did a fabulous set a while back.

 

[loolalooh]

You should send BlackMasterPiece a PM or check out her fotki. She did a fabulous set a while back.

Thanks! Off to check out her fotki.

 

[lilsparkle825]

With all these threads poppin' up, y'all have convinced me to try them out ... I think. Who knows, I may change my mind this weekend.

Either way, this evening I'll head to the BSS for supplies, but first I have some questions since I've never done this before:

1) What tools do I need?
hair (duh, lol) -- i used about 1.5 packs each time, crochet latch hook, although i used a bobby pin
2) Are there any good youtube/blog tutorials?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peRR_GmFKps
part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTDxOgUM1vI&feature=related (the one i used)
part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWtfmuN0ggk&feature=related
part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HRjDqo69mA&feature=related3) How long do you keep them in? (A month should be fine, right?)
a month. i cowashed 2 weeks in. i find myself snipping at tangled curls about twice a week, although it doesn't affect the length of the 'do.
4) Any hair brand recommendations?
freetress is all i have ever used. i use water wave. i have noticed that the tighter the curl, the better they look. using loose wave or straight hair doesn't yield good results from what i have seen on YT.
5) How many cornrows should I do and should they all go back? (I want to do as few as possible)
you may want to experiment with braiding patterns, because sometimes the ones that go straight back leave a weird gap (see the vids i posted to see what i mean). i had 11 going slightly to the right, and on my sister i did 12 going straight back and it worked out fine.
I know AfricanExport did a set (and hers were bangin') but I can't access youtube right now.erplexed

here are pics of mine and my sister's.

 

[MrsPeaceLily]

Crochet braids will be my next style. I remember getting this style years ago and loved it. This time around I will do them myself.

 

[Whimsy]

It was already said but blackmasterpiece had good info/pics on it.

lilsparkle they look so nice!!

 

[your hair is your glory]

i did some on me and my daughter last month. i used rastafri brand . the real curly kind 1.5 packs. 4.99 a pack there is a pic in my album and also a thread on here about easter styles.

got alot of new growth in only 3 weeks

 

[lilsparkle825]

It was already said but blackmasterpiece had good info/pics on it.

lilsparkle they look so nice!!

thank you, boo! after wearing braids/twists for almost 2 years straight, my sister loves being able to swing her "hair". she got a lot of compliments at school, which does WONDERS for the self esteem of a 15 year old!

i am doing some on my mom tonight. i have 2 packs of hair to do some more on myself, but next time i will reinforce my cornrows with kanekalon because i had a little thinning of my ends.

ooh, one more thing OP -- since your hair is BSB, you may want to sew your cornrow ends up with a curved needle and thread. i just put mine in a bun, but i sewed my sister's and will do the same with my mom's. this way, they are not visible.

 

[yardyspice]

Use a beader which you should find at the bss. If it's not sold separately, then buy a box of kid's beads for $1 and there should be one included. Here's a video where one is used to do crochet braids.

 

[sumertyme08]

I just wanted to add that even thought you've never done them before they are incredibly easy to install. Since I can't cornrow I had someone do my cornrows for me, then I installed the hair. It took me about 2.5 hours. Whenever I want to PS, that's what I plan on doing again...GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[loolalooh]

thank you, boo! after wearing braids/twists for almost 2 years straight, my sister loves being able to swing her "hair". she got a lot of compliments at school, which does WONDERS for the self esteem of a 15 year old!

i am doing some on my mom tonight. i have 2 packs of hair to do some more on myself, but next time i will reinforce my cornrows with kanekalon because i had a little thinning of my ends.

@the bolded: I can totally relate. I've been wearing twists for how many months? I want some swang.

ooh, one more thing OP -- since your hair is BSB, you may want to sew your cornrow ends up with a curved needle and thread. i just put mine in a bun, but i sewed my sister's and will do the same with my mom's. this way, they are not visible.

Thanks for the added tip, Lilsparkle!

 

[loolalooh]

I just wanted to add that even thought you've never done them before they are incredibly easy to install. Since I can't cornrow I had someone do my cornrows for me, then I installed the hair. It took me about 2.5 hours. Whenever I want to PS, that's what I plan on doing again...GOOD LUCK!!!

This is good to know! Thank you.

 

[loolalooh]

Thank you ladies for all the info! I'll digest everything before going to the BSS.

 

[Hysi]

I just wanted to add that even thought you've never done them before they are incredibly easy to install. Since I can't cornrow I had someone do my cornrows for me, then I installed the hair. It took me about 2.5 hours. Whenever I want to PS, that's what I plan on doing again...GOOD LUCK!!!

just had to tell you i love your sigggy pic. you look so pretty- love the hair and makeup! toodles!