by Portia of huneybflyy.com
Crochet braiding is not a hair style that’s as new as one might think. Women have been getting crochet braids for years with human hair or with tracks of hair that look like there are individual braids attached. Women used to get crochet braids if they didn’t want to sit too long and get individual braids in their hair. It was fast and convenient.
You apply the hair by literally crocheting hair, with a latch hook tool, in between your own corn rowed hair. Some women use the braiding technique as an alternative to the traditional sew-in hair weave. Years ago, when I was looking for protective styles, I came across a YouTube tutorial of crotchet braids. It was done with straight, human hair and it didn’t look very flattering. I decided that the particular hair style wasn’t for me and I moved on. However, after seeing some of the recent crochet braid styles on social media sites like Instagram and YouTube, I’ve changed my mind.
The natural hair community has turned this familiar hair style into something beautiful! I’ve never seen such beautiful and versatile crochet braiding in my life. Women are becoming very creative with their styling techniques and the crochet braids look very realistic. To be honest, one might not be able to tell crochet braids from natural growing hair. This is a great option for someone who is transitioning or just needs a break from styling their own hair every day. You get the natural hair look, without having to manipulate your own hair. You can even wash and treat your scalp, which is something that is difficult to do with a sew-in. Below, you’ll find five of the best crochet braiding tutorials on YouTube. These ladies will truly inspire you to want to get started on your own crochet braids!
TheChicNatural
Unlike most crochet braids I’ve seen, TheChicNatural’s crochet braids look like actual curls. Usually, I see hair that mimics a twist out. She was able to achieve this look by using Marley Braiding hair. She cornrowed her natural hair straight back and connected a few braids in the middle of her head so that she could have the option of wearing her hair parted down the middle or parted on the side. She secured the ends of her hair by sewing them flat. She was able to get her perfect curls by taking medium sections and forming bantu knots on the ends. After knotting, she dipped the hair in hot water and unraveled the knot when it was dry.
Jessica Pettway
What’s so great about Jessica’s hair is that she decided not to manipulate the hair she used by twisting it or curling it. Instead she, left the hair’s natural kink alone and that’s what makes her crochet braids look so natural. Her hair is literally a fabulous afro that commands attention. The hair that she used was by Xpress Your Kinks and she used 4C hair from their Fro’kinks collection. Instead of cornrowing her whole head, she left hair out along the perimeter so that it appeared natural.
MSPYT8
This natural beauty decided to switch it up and create a bang with her crochet braids. MSPYT8 used Freetress Water Wave hair. The hair already has a great curl, so no twisting or curling is necessary. Instead of cornrowing her natural hair straight back, she braided her hair into a beehive. Her tutorial is very informative because she shows you how to get rid of the tail from the beehive braiding pattern without sewing it. She also shows you how to decrease frizz on the hair that she used.
Hair Porn Co.
Gasp! If you want to pretend that you are Pocahontas for a few weeks, Hair Porn Co. can show you how you can at least get her hair. This natural haired diva used Kanekalon hair to create her crochet braids and instead of cutting most of the hair, she left it long and whimsical. Hair Porn Co. describes the finished result as resembling a natural blow out.
Barika Jumbo
Barika Jumbo uses the kinky twist brand “Nina” or “Sleek” to create her crochet braids. The texture of the two brands is smoother than Marley Braiding Hair and not as dry. She made sure that her natural hair was moisturized before she started doing her crochet braids. She advises adding a little bit of braiding hair to your cornrows if you have thin edges. It will give your cornrow a little more strength and your edges won’t suffer.
Everyone has their own way of doing crochet braids and there are so many styles that you can create. No matter what your budget is, there’s a technique for you. With crochet braids, you don’t have to spend a ridiculous amount of money in order to achieve a natural looking faux head of hair.
Have you tried crochet braids?
Portia is a wife and mother who enjoys making things and people look pretty! As a graduate of Rowan University, Portia has an insatiable craving for natural hair, beauty, and fashion, but she also enjoys traveling and home decor. If you’d like to know more about her, visit her blog at huneybflyy.com
