Braiding Over and Underhanded

[Blessed_Angel]

Does anyone know how to braid over and underhanded? I do, but the problem I have is that when I braid overhand I have to be far away from the head and it can make positioning kind of uncomfortable.

If you can do both, how do you learn to braid overhanded positioned like you are when you braid underhand?

Thanks

 

[Nonie]

I find it easier to do a French Braid than the other braid where the braid is showing. All I do is part lengthwise in the middle of where the braid will lie, then starting like you would the other kind of cornrow by dividing a section at the front into three. Now I cross right over the middle and hand it over to the left hand. The middle section now joins the column of hair to the left. Now I cross the left over what was the right section but is now middle and hand over to the righ hand, while the felt hand grabs a little hair from the left column while reaching for the middle section. So each time you are taking some hair from one column and adding it to the middle section, you cross over and repeat that action on the other side. Parting the middle lengthwise I find makes it easy to do a very neat French braid. So unlike the other kind of braid where you reach under to get more hair, this on you pick the hair from the outside and the middle part helps you do it systematically, I find.

 

[Blessed_Angel]

This is how I braided my daughter's hair: In the first pic, the middle braid is "underhanded". And the second one shows two "overhanded" braids. (If I have the over and under confused; please correct me).

 

[Nonie]

Maybe this vid can help you with braiding overhand (exposed braid):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IlHSEf9BHo