I just tried to do a crown braid.

After I detangled, I figured I should ask for some tips on how to do it. Seriously, it was bad. If anyone recalls my mongo buns? Worse.

I looked like someone had laid a dead weasel across my forehead and then tried to braid it. That is not the elegant look I was hoping for.

Tips? Advice? Open mocking?

Well I haven't done one in well over a year, but I do remember that I had to keep a wide toothed comb handy and comb my tassle repeatedly as I was braiding to avoid a rats nest.

I also sectioned my hair into quarters and secured each one with a clip till I needed that hair for braiding... that helped keep things sorted out a bit and less tangle prone.

ETA:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was thinking more about doing this, and I remember another thing I forgot to mention that I did.

Instead of adding hair to BOTH sides as I braid, like you would in a normal french braid, I only added hair to the inner side of the braid. (the side that will encircle the crown of your head.) I think I've seen this called 'lace' braiding? Anyway, it helps cut down on how many times you have to section your hair = less tangles!
__________________

I voted for cheese.
I've never worn crown braids and have to idea how to do them!

I'm not going to vote yet because I just started sorting out how to do them last week. (On Shell's suggestion, started braiding across the top/front first, which made a big difference.) I may have to do them more often than monthly, though, because I like the look and the balance.

I tried them once a few weeks back and it was a mess, so I voted cheese. I like the idea though and may have to give them another try.

My avatar is a crown braid variation (?called coronet braid?) which is really easy. I just made two braids in the back, then crossed them at the nape of my neck, then brought the ends up around my head and pinned down on top.

Sometimes I Dutch braid from the front, curving behind my ears toward the part in the back, enabling me to finish the braid over the opposite shoulder from where I started. I make 2 braids like this. Then I cross the bases of the braids and bring the ends up and around, pinning down under the edge of the Dutch braid. It looks very intricate, like I've got 4 braids, and gets all the short pieces out of the way.

I've never tried to do one because my braiding skills simply are not up to par, I feel. I've just recently become able to reliably do a decent English Braid. I can sort of Dutch Braid my hair... sort of. We'll get there eventually...

Never, I'm simply not able to braid any other way than down my head. I can do French and Dutch, 4 strand, 5 strand, 9 strand in theory, and about everything as long as I braid down my head. Any other direction and it's impossible. A small single braid around the crown? Two French braids? Nope. I'm just not able to. :wail:
As long as I don't master the art "of braiding in another direction" I'll content myself with Heidi braids... spidermom, at least that's what it's called - twin braids looped over the head.

... spidermom, at least that's what it's called - twin braids looped over the head.

No... I don't think so. Heidi braids go upward first and cross at the top. Mine go downward and cross at the nape, then come around the top.

My avatar is a crown braid variation (?called coronet braid?) which is really easy. I just made two braids in the back, then crossed them at the nape of my neck, then brought the ends up around my head and pinned down on top.


That is called Heidi braids, and I wear them often!

No... I don't think so. Heidi braids go upward first and cross at the top. Mine go downward and cross at the nape, then come around the top.

Traditional Heidi braids go down... that's what all the artwork I've seen show.

I think hair books started showing to go up and over, because it takes less length to get over the top than under and up and over.

I attempted this recently and, well, my DH told me that the result would attract attention, which I like to think meant attractive :p

I'd be happy for some tips.

I find a true crown braid to be really aging on me. I look like the grandma of somebody my age haha.

Traditional Heidi braids go down... that's what all the artwork I've seen show.

I think hair books started showing to go up and over, because it takes less length to get over the top than under and up and over.

Not that it's life or death, but I looked up Heidi braids, and all sites described braids that go upward and cross at the crown. So I'm not calling mine Heidi braids because they go in the opposite direction. But this is just semantics; either way, it's a comfortable and relatively easy style.

I've done crown braid only about 4 or 5 times, but I really only mastered the French braid about 2 years ago. Stagecoach, your idea of 4 sections is a really helpful suggestion. I'm going to try that next time. I can see how that would make it easier. :flower:

Spidermom and Stagecoach, you two are cracking me up. :)

Spidermom and Stagecoach, you two are cracking me up. :)

Anything to distract me from imaging reports.

I chose the cheese option because I don't think I've ever had crown braids before. I was surprised to see that 80 percent chose the same, lol.

Not that it's life or death, but I looked up Heidi braids, and all sites described braids that go upward and cross at the crown. So I'm not calling mine Heidi braids because they go in the opposite direction. But this is just semantics; either way, it's a comfortable and relatively easy style.

lol, well it's really no big deal! :flowers:

I chose weasel because MPB's description of a dead weasel across her forehead sounds like every crown brain I have ever done. The start off OK but the front is always wierd and the end is unmentionable. I use the separating into quarters technic which was in karren Ribble's book which means I can now braid all the way round, but it's still not something I can even show to me nearest and dearest.
I'll have to try starting from the front instead of the back

The ability to do a crown braid escapes me. I've tried and all attempts would make children cry :lol:

I'd love to master it.

I have only succeeded in Crown braids a few times and once it was worth wearing outside of the home, LOL. It took time to get it even, tight, smooth, etc.

Heidi braids, Smeidi braids, whatever. Semantics fer shur. :) I do mine like Spidermoms though. Maybe it's the length one had as to which way works best. Now i'm going to have to experiment !
If i do something like this, I prefer to part on side (or do a pouf and then part center behind it) and braid each side French-style only adding hair on one side -the hairline- to make it stand up more, and then after finishing the braids, i cross them in back and wrap them lying close to the french braids. I turn the ends under to make the ends smooth, then clip or pin as needed. The best part is how comfortable it is to sleep in after a good and secure hair day!

But with the inspiration of this thread may make me try a reg. crown braid again.....

Okay. Since almost everyone says something about cheese eating weasels, I can only come to one conclusion.

To defeat the cheese-weasel crown braid thing, I must try to do crown braids every day until I manage to get one right.

Clue One as to why my crown braids suck: I can't French braid for poop.

My hair is freshly washed. I am going to try to crown braid it, and I will post a picture of my attempt. I want to challenge all of you who want to LEARN to crown braid to join me on this. The only way to success is through repeated, hilarious failure! Otherwise, how will we learn?

I'm off to do my first attempt. Come back later for a pictorial update.

Cheese-haired crown braid incapable weasel victim, reporting in for the challenge! :cheese:

If I'm feeling really procrastinatory (finals time, eeek!) I'll post pictures. Just hope I don't do it too often, lest ye suffer adversely from all the laughing it will inspire.

God bless the fact that dark wet hair tends to look good with a flash on. I promise, the reality is much less lovely.

These are kind of big, I wanted to show the messy not-that-spiff look, but when I made the images smaller it didn't show off how bad it looks as well.

I was trying to be tidy. It didn't work.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b224/madpiratebippy/A%20Hair%20Album/DSCI0063.jpg

Me not looking like a serial killer:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b224/madpiratebippy/A%20Hair%20Album/DSCI0064.jpg

If I need to make the images smaller, Mods, please let me know.

I know most of us only post pictures of our hair looking fantastic. Well, I'm here to show off my learning curve, and sometimes, it's not so pretty.

At least I don't look like I have a cheese eating weasel on my head right now.

Sorus, I'm counting on you to post some pictures so I won't be alone! Let us unite against the bad updo cheese weasel!

This is on oiled pre-shower hair, which really helped with the ends tangling less. By leaps and bounds the best crown braid I've ever pulled off, I'm slightly amazed. Practice is really helping; since first finding this thread this is the 4th try. I've tried to learn before but gave up discouraged.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k52/dovetothemax/CW_2.jpghttp://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k52/dovetothemax/CW_1.jpg

I still have lots of work to do though. The loose parts would look nice if they were consistent, but the lopsided look has got to go. Also, I still can't mange to get a nice pinwheel parting from the center of my head. Not that the chunky pieces with scalp showing through aren't absolutely lovely....:rolleyes:

OK, I'm attempting to link to my photoalbum, but who knows if this will work. Most recent crown braid. (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=105&pictureid=575)

I tried it a coupel times but my hair got horribly tangled and it looked wonky. Sorry that I'm not any help!

I never had any problems with tangling or weasels when I wore crownbraids. I don't even really know how to help, because I find it quite an easy hairstyle to do and to wear. Except for the side wear you braid upwards. That side is always much looser than the other side.

I haven't voted yet because I have never had any crown braids. I think they are very beautiful and the next time I get the urge to play with my hair I might try one. However, my hair tangles a lot when I do regular French/Dutch braids so perhaps I should practise some more on those before I make any attempt with crown braids. I just hope that my tangling problems are not caused by cheese-hair... :cheese:

I haven't been able to do them the last 2 times I tried, but in high school it was my standby hairstyle for running.. (I was a cross country and marathon runner)..

I would seperate the front, then the rest would get split in thirds (kinda like the diagram from the old site for starting dianyla's braid.. with a straight part above it).. then I'd braid across the front, down the side, across the back and up the other side and tuck the length in around. Honestly, I think part of my problem is my hair is wavier now then it was then, and possibly longer.. I'm right about where it was longest ever, so this may actually be longer than it was then!

Amie

Hey Stagecoach? Know how you said you make 4 sections? Which one do you start off with? 'Cause I have successfully made ONE crown braid in my whole life, and I always start behind my left ear, but that is really hard...

Hey Stagecoach? Know how you said you make 4 sections? Which one do you start off with? 'Cause I have successfully made ONE crown braid in my whole life, and I always start behind my left ear, but that is really hard...

I always started with my front right sections and worked my way clockwise around my head..

This thread has me curious to see if I can still do one! Even though I don't wear them anymore!

I voted for the cheese weasel, because I've never been able to do a successful braid besides the standard English braid. I've tried others, and either the ends of my hair start braiding themselves (leading to horrible tangles), or my arms get so tired they feel like they're going to fall off.

I'd love to learn how to do a crown braid though, because I think it looks so elegant. Maybe I should start lifting weights and strengthen those arms...!

I would love to wear a crown braid but I've not yet worked out how to get the braid to stay in place, it always seems to fall down. However I love the look so I'm not giving up quite that easily! I think I'll try making a thinner braid and then putting the rest of my hair in a bun, hopefully that won't get weighted down easily.

I haven't done one in a while because once, in conversation, my mom mentioned she doesn't like them at all :( That combined with the fact that my only attempts have ended up with lumpy twisted misery...

But I'll try again with the tips you all gave here. Maybe I can make something of it, and see how I like how it looks.

I was thinking more about doing this, and I remember another thing I forgot to mention that I did.

Instead of adding hair to BOTH sides as I braid, like you would in a normal french braid, I only added hair to the inner side of the braid. (the side that will encircle the crown of your head.) I think I've seen this called 'lace' braiding? Anyway, it helps cut down on how many times you have to section your hair = less tangles!

Attempt!

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/freznow/Crown018-1.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/freznow/Crown006.jpg

I think, all in all, it turned out nice. Except for the fact that it's more bun like than anything, because somehow all updo's gravitate to be lower than I wanted them to be. My hair just won't go that way, I guess, it just likes staying pulled back/down. And I really need some amish pins, those bright blue bent double pointed knitting needles are rather obvious!

My favorite things are 1) even though my head was rather lumpy, that was easily gathered and tucked under the braid that I wrapped around and pinned. 2) it's so comfortable! I didn't believe y'all before, seeing how my last ones pulled all which way, but this one is great. It did tangle a lot, but if I had to run a marathon I'd definitely go for this.

I'm thinking next time I'll try the lace braid. It may turn out more crown braid like, and less tangles is definitely a bonus!

I managed it too. :D Like Stagecoach, I did a lace braid, but I took the sections from the outside. My first attempt is in my avatar, here's my second attempt (which is actually around the crown as opposed to a random circle in back):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v113/getoffmyskittle/100_0144-1.jpg

I made 4 sections of hair before I started and started with the top right section, braiding counterclockwise around my head, and it worked great! :grin:

YAY! Freznow and GetOffMySkittle, I am SUPER PROUD OF YOU! WHOOO!

I've been doing the lace braid thing, and I wound my end around the braid in front. My sweet boyfriend took pictures for me, and I'm going to sleep in the braid- I slept in mine last night and it was FANTASTIC.

You guys rock!

Oh, a side note, I got a compliment on my hair yesterday when I thought it looked like crap from a waitress, and today I kayaked for a couple of hours and my hair wasn't in any danger, which was good because even a down-the-back braid would have gotten in trouble a couple of times. It was really delightful, it took me about 10 minutes to do it this morning, and I was able to just go.

It rocked!

YAY!

I think I'm going to try this again today.. if it works, I used to wear one when running marathons to keep my hair contained and out of the way, so I could see using one during relay for Life, even if I get a nap in, this should be comfortable for sleeping

This is something I need to learn. :o
I'll set aside some time this afternoon to make an attempt. *inspired by the group 'project'* ;)

I voted for cheese because my hair's to short to do the english braid round the head version and I have no luck getting the french crown to work. It is one of my goals for this year and I have tried repeatedly. Weasel is a strangley appropriate description of the mess that ensues. I am going to try stagecoach's suggestion of a lace braid because I always find the seperation the hardest part - that's when I can feel pulling and tangling happening. I love this style and really want to master it.

getoffmyskittle and freznow those are great examples. Wish I could get mine to look like that. I like the way they look further back on the head too.

Goes off to practise some more...

I'm going to start doing these for bed again. I did a while ago but got lazy, and if I do them daily before going to bed, eventually I can wear them out of bed, too!

Ouchy, sore arms ... :(
But I have a sense of accomplishment with my first crown braid attempt:

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=145&pictureid=3995

It's a Dutch braid starting from the front left side of my head and working anti-clockwise. (I think I was planning to start from front right and go clockwise ... I don't know what happened there ... :confused: I must've just naturally started on the left. *shrug*)

I got stuck numerous times --not keeping close enough to my head-- and had to unbraid and correct at various points along the way.
I'm going to have to refine my technique a heck of a lot if I want to include this in my updo challenge ... ;)
But hey, I had fun!

Holy Cow, AprilElf, that's FANTASTIC!

I'm glad that you went back and fixed it. I never do that when I'm learning a style... but I did go a lot slower when I knew I was going to take pictures and post them here, and that DID help prevent weasel hair. :)

AprilElf - it looks beautiful! How did you do it?

I tried this two days back using instructions from dreamweaverbraiding.com. I am just not able to do it! Any easier version available? Or any other website with instructions? Thanks.

Thanks MadPirateBippy and Diamondbell. :)

I don't know of any easier instructions --I was looking at Dreamweaver Braiding as well. And very quickly figured I wasn't going to be able to do it exactly as she had. :rolleyes:
I decided to concentrate more on the new skill of braiding around and close to the head.

I would suggest starting a braid above your ear (halfway between ear tip and crown?) on whichever side you choose. Don't worry about fancy partings for now. Braid towards the back of your head and pick up small sections of hair from above and below as you braid. Keep your hands close to your head --don't let them wander away like mine did, and I had to go back and undo! Then when you get right around to the point where you started, you finish the braid normally, wrap around and pin.

I found it got a bit tricky handling the braiding and the sections at times, but if you can do a French braid you should find it easier. (I'm really bad at those!)

Hope that helps.

Wow, I'm so envious of all the really nice looking first attempts. You guys are amazing!

I'm going to try! The last time I did one was several years ago when my hair was shorter than it is now. Pics later.

I have always been too scared to try crown braiding, but you all have inspired me! I will post a picture once I have attempted it.

Hi, it's me again.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v33/Alicia_Kendra/th_S6300118.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v33/Alicia_Kendra/S6300118.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v33/Alicia_Kendra/th_S6300115.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v33/Alicia_Kendra/S6300115.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v33/Alicia_Kendra/th_S6300113.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v33/Alicia_Kendra/S6300113.jpg)

These are my first attempt, a dutch braid.

Those are all clickable, excuse the dorky face, pictures credited to my sister's camera and my finger.

good first tries, and with practice it gets neater and easier.. trust me I used to do one a week when I was running.. I don't think my hair was quite this long back then, and it was definitely thicker, but still..

Great going, Golden Mermaid! :applause
It looks really cute.

Everyone's first tries are awesome!! Including my own (:lol:), which I cannot replicate to save my LIFE. Every day, it gets worse. I have horrible unwearable bagginess now on the side where I braid UP. Any tips for getting rid of this?

I haven't been able to manage this yet as a French or lace braid, just Dutch. I've also had more luck going across the top of my head first, rather than making the bottom of the circle first, as described on Dreamweaver, because it means I can start out upright, rather than bent over with half my hair combed forward over my face to keep it from getting added too early.

Hope that helps someone.

I voted cheese:cheese:. I know that if I even attempted to do a crown braid I'd get really irritated, so I'm not going to try.

I've attempted a crown braid a few times...My best result was also similar to a weasel, or some other furry creature! :D

Everyone's first tries are awesome!! Including my own (:lol:), which I cannot replicate to save my LIFE. Every day, it gets worse. I have horrible unwearable bagginess now on the side where I braid UP. Any tips for getting rid of this?

This was the problem I struggled with most. What I found my problem to be was, the sections of hair I was taking, weren't lining up with section of the braid I was putting them into, thus leaving 'extra' hair between my scalp and braid, which then sagged.

The father around the head you get, the bigger the sections of hair you'll need to take to keep the sections matching the braid.

*wonders if this makes any sense*

:cheese: here. My housemate attempted to crown braid my hair once, but it didn't go very well. I can't even French braid, so I think I'll work on learning that first.

I'm particularly amused by the inclusion of weasels in this thread -- I have pet ferrets, which are sort of the domestic cousins of the weasel family, so we call them weasels when they're acting up. I definitely hope they don't eat my hair! (I also hope they don't eat any cheese, as dairy upsets their tiny tummies.)

In lieu of a picture of my with a crown braid, here is a picture of me with an actual mustelid on my head: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/38/80016506_db215bd48c.jpg?v=0

Sorus, you should do a first try too! :)

I mean, the whole point is that we are learning!

Getoffmyskittle, I've found pausing every third or fourth plait and tightening a bit, and detangling the length, helped me keep things weasel and big honkin sag free. Let me know if this helps!

AlleyKitten, your genuine head weasel was much cuter than my non-genuine head weasel. And it also looks a hell of a lot more like a crown braid.

MadPirateBippy, my pics are right under yours. I guess it isn't technically a first try, but it is the first I've photographed. You can view it in all its oily piecey glory! I'm so jealous of all the first trys that are polished looking. You guys are amazing.

I've been practicing a bit, and I guess I'm improving a little. After finals are over (I have one on Saturday of all days!) I'll post more pictures.

This was the problem I struggled with most. What I found my problem to be was, the sections of hair I was taking, weren't lining up with section of the braid I was putting them into, thus leaving 'extra' hair between my scalp and braid, which then sagged.

The father around the head you get, the bigger the sections of hair you'll need to take to keep the sections matching the braid.

*wonders if this makes any sense*

Yes, it makes a lot of sense! I'm taking a bit of a break from the crown braid (too frustrating :silly:) but I will definitely keep this in mind next time I attempt it. Thanks!

I voted that I make crown braids occasionally. My problem with them is half my scalp gets tired so I can wear them only a few hours. Only the side that is braided up is the tired side. I start at the bottom left side and go around clockwise. The side braided up looks a little funny because my hair is not used to going in that direction but it seems to get better each attempt. If one side of my scalp didn't get tired so fast I'd wear it like that more often. I think too that with blonde hair and a crown braid I look very Scandinavian. I'll try again tomorrow after I've washed my hair. It's too greasy today to try.

~Haley

Yay, I got it!! Thanks for the help, everyone. I have one sort of sticking out piece but nothing unwearable.

Now, the true test... will it survive lifetime fitness? :scared:

Curiousity finally got the best of me and I just tried the crown braid for the first time:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/SycoTrekkie/2008/crown.jpg

Not the most beautiful thing in the world... But, I think I got the basic idea. And, I was doing this while typing to someone through IM, too... So, I'm impressed by my multi-tasking skills (and arm strength-endurance!).

What are you impressive crown-braiders using to pin your braids up? Amish pins, bobby pins, chignon pins? Inquiring minds want to know!

Wow, that's a lovely crown braid AJoyfulNoise!

Mine aren't impressive yet, but I use a few standard cheapy U-shaped hairpins. I also wet the last few inches which are rather thin to braid anyway, then weave them back and forth underneath the braid, which seems to keep them hidden and secure.

What are you impressive crown-braiders using to pin your braids up? Amish pins, bobby pins, chignon pins? Inquiring minds want to know!


I used a handful of these:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/SycoTrekkie/100_4608.jpg

And one bobby pin for some hairs on top of my head that went all wonky.

Wow, that's a lovely crown braid AJoyfulNoise!

Thank you! I was sure it looked awful. :o

So that's a Good Days pin, correct? I don't have those... :(

I tried pinning my hair up once in a similar style with hair scroos. The result was, let's say, less than optimal. Which surprised me, because generally hair scroos hold up a bun very well. Different styles require different tools, I guess!

So that's a Good Days pin, correct? I don't have those... :(

I tried pinning my hair up once in a similar style with hair scroos. The result was, let's say, less than optimal. Which surprised me, because generally hair scroos hold up a bun very well. Different styles require different tools, I guess!

I don't think they were specifically called that... But, I got them at Wal*Mart. I've also seen them in Walgreens. I have heard that I am a special case, though. Not all of the stores have them.

wow, GREAT attempts from all of you who say you can't do it! Sorus, even though you say your hair's messy, I'd wear that out of the house...!

I love the IDEA of a crown braid (as opposed to "coronet" which is what my mom always called two braids pinned up along the crown of the head - "coronet" to me meaning "little crown") but every time I have tried it I have gotten MUCH worse results than any of you dared to post! :P

The only success I ever had was something that looks like what Spidermom and Mad Pirate Bippy have -it was a braided headband, crown (lace) braid style - and I was never able to repeat it, no matter how I tried.

One problem for me is the way the hair pulls into the braid, and keeping the rest of the hair out of the way while braiding. Both of these "challenges" lead to me having something that looks like the cat chewed on it on my head.

Another challenge for me is that trying styles over and over again gives me greasy hair. My hair is best when not handled, so any day that I start trying a style and then want to go out of the house, I have to wear my hair up. Does anyone have any tips for dealing with this problem?

Until I have the time and patience (and help?) to do this on my own, I'm sticking with either the coronet (what many here call "heidi") braids or maybe even the braided headband if I can make it work again.

Last summer I saw some women at a Viking event who had a braiding book and were braiding each others' hair in complicated ways. They were our neighbors in camp, and I'd been chatting with them a bit as we sort of know each other, but when I asked them if they could please try something nice on me, they responded by telling me that I don't have enough hair for them to braid, that it is "much too thin and short". Thanks. :( I guess I have to show up next time with a crown braid, huh?

Katze: I do my dutch crowns at night before bed, because then if I greasify (is that a word? ^_^) my hair before bed some of the oil will soak in overnight and my hair doesn't look greasy the next day.

AjoifulNoise the Crown Braid is beautiful! :flower:

Wow, so the other night my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to see if I could still do a decent crown braid... blech, it was simply aweful... :(

No great loss though, as I really don't care for how that style frames my face.

I will post my embarrassing attempt at a crown braid tonight when I get home from work. I tried one yesterday. I didn't know about this thread though until today! lol.

Must have been some LHC psychic transmittin going on!

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g60/workbucket007/FeebleCrown.jpg

YUCK =) And to think, I even wore to work like that haha!

You guys have been really educational to me. In the last few days, I've learned the dangers of cones, the joys of essential oils and more stuff to mix with my henna to make it better. And now, I've taken all of your lovely braid tips and done a pretty horrible first attempt, but I thank you all, because my arms got a pretty good workout.http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/2342/braidsqy4.jpg
http://img358.imageshack.us/img358/3503/braids2vo8.jpg

Kittee & jupiterjuniper- I think those are both lovely crown braids!

I voted the cheese option.
I have never done a CB but I do admire them.

Maybe when I get brave lol

I voted cheese. Posting pictures of my HILARIOUSLY horrible first attempt ever in a few minutes.

Ok, as promised the photo of my bloody awful first attempt at a crown braid


http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l285/minamulder/funnyhahaha.jpg


This photo doesn't show the full lopsidedness, but the right side seems to be a bit chunkier since I started on the left.
:shrug:

I did it, I did it! Never thought I could do a crown braid, but I've been practicing dutch braids for a few days and thought I'd give it a go. Hubby took the pic, since he was sitting down at the time he had me bend forward to try and get the entire braid. It's messy, but it's there.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee210/thetokenlady/first-crown-braid.jpg

no pics.. but I have a crown braid in.. I used to wear my hair like this all the time, and I can see why.. though I won't wear it this way very often to work- it's annoying under the headset- I normally have my hair pulled further back and out of the way.

Wow, and the pics just keep coming!
Awesome stuff Kittee, jupiterjuniper, Nynaeve and thetokenlady!

And it can only get easier after the first go, right?! ;)

I have a question for all you experienced crown braiders. What is the best way to secure the "tail" of hair you have after your braid meets where you began? So far, I can only get small claw clips to keep the tail in place tucked against the beginning of the braid.

I've been doing a crown braid each evening, and I think I'm starting to get marginally better at it. Tonight's looks the best so far. This time I started the braid at the nape of my neck and worked up the right side of my head, across and down the left. The loose tail winds all the way around to my left temple. I ended up redoing the left side of the braid once because the first time I did it the left ended up much higher on my head than the right side. Now it's down closer to my ear and a bit more balanced.

Well, the one and only* time I did the crown braid, I tucked the tail under the braid wherever it happened to wrap around to. I think I managed to just push it through a gap in between my head and the braid, and secured it with a bobby pin.

*Hence - not 'experienced'. :rolleyes:

I have no idea how I missed this thread, but I'm going to have to try a crown braid again. Every one has done such pretty ones- even on your first tries. :inlove: The only time I ever tried it was last year when my foot was broken. I had a lot of time to play with my hair. I didn't get a full crown braid, but I liked the look of what I ended up with, anyway. :gabigrin:

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g6/Xandergrammy/DSCN0183.jpghttp://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g6/Xandergrammy/DSCN0182.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g6/Xandergrammy/DSCN0181.jpghttp://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g6/Xandergrammy/DSCN0184.jpg

Xandergrammy, that is a lovely braid! It looks different from other crown braids I've seen...and really suits you! I might just get inspired in a couple of days (dirty hair needed) and try what you've got...

Ok, as promised the photo of my bloody awful first attempt at a crown braid


http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l285/minamulder/funnyhahaha.jpg


This photo doesn't show the full lopsidedness, but the right side seems to be a bit chunkier since I started on the left.
:shrug:



THAT is NOT hilariously horrible. I think it looks very pretty.

Xandergrammy, that is a lovely braid! It looks different from other crown braids I've seen...and really suits you! I might just get inspired in a couple of days (dirty hair needed) and try what you've got...


Thank you so much!! :flowers:

THAT is NOT hilariously horrible. I think it looks very pretty.



AWWW!!!
Thanks so much Xandergrammy, you just made my day!!!! :cheese: :heartbeat

I have never done a crown braid - but I goggled it for pics and I am in love with a French crown braid. Do you need a lot of hair to do that?

Everybody's braids have been amazing. You girls (women? People of probably feminine gender orientation?) are incredible.

Yay LHC!

You girls (women? People of probably feminine gender orientation?) are incredible.

:lol: Nice.

I'm getting serious hair envy here, with all you ladies' big fat crown braids. Mine are skinny.

Tonight, I think I need to make another attempt. It's been a few weeks since I've done one of these.

I tried again the other day and... I was less than successful. Must keep practicing!

Anje- mine is skinny too, next time I try I'll take pics...

And Tokenlady- I used a few bobby pins, but I need to find something better than that.. they stick out funny.. I was thinking the mini jaws might look decorative, or maybe using some of my kippah-clips.. I can't remember what they are called by the rest of the world- the little clips that are wider at one end and snap open with a narrower piece underneath...

Amie

I was thinking the mini jaws might look decorative, or maybe using some of my kippah-clips.. I can't remember what they are called by the rest of the world- the little clips that are wider at one end and snap open with a narrower piece underneath...

Amie
I call those things snappy clips, 'cause they snap into place.

My braid is skinny too, but after I took down today's challenge toy I did a crown braid and it's actually suitable for public view! I've been doing one each night and the practice is starting to pay off. I have the tail secured with 2 small decorative side combs and it looks pretty good. If I can get fast enough to do this before work I may use these combs as a challenge item and wear a crown braid to work.

I've also been experimenting with starting the crown braid at different points on my head. This one I started just above my left ear and worked around the back of my head so the messier tail part is running across the back of my head and the front part is a single somewhat neat braid.

I tried to do crown braids last year, had one successful-ish attempt. have not tried it since but I have done the faux crown like spidermom's :)

I can't do a propper crown braid, but I can do a good cheaty version. I braid my hair into two dutch braids- one normally going down my head, the other started at my neck and going up. Then I wrap the two braids into a crown and pin in place. It looks pretty good and is miles easier than a crown braid.

Everybody's braids have been amazing. You girls (women? People of probably feminine gender orientation?) are incredible.

Yay LHC!

Heheehehee :)
Thanks for the giggle!

I'm getting serious hair envy here, with all you ladies' big fat crown braids. Mine are skinny.

Tonight, I think I need to make another attempt. It's been a few weeks since I've done one of these.

I need to make another attempt as well. I haven't had the time to try since last month when I did the one I posted a pic of.

I can't do a propper crown braid, but I can do a good cheaty version. I braid my hair into two dutch braids- one normally going down my head, the other started at my neck and going up. Then I wrap the two braids into a crown and pin in place. It looks pretty good and is miles easier than a crown braid.

Hmmm, that sounds cool. Maybe I'll try it some time.

I got a decent one a few days ago for bed, about which I was rather chuffed. Shame it was only for bed, though. I'll try and post pics of it.

ETA: Here (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=1012&pictureid=11316) and here (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=1012&pictureid=11317)

Nice one florenonite! And it looks so pretty with your hair colour. :D

Thank you, AprilElf!

Nice one florenonite! And it looks so pretty with your hair colour. :D



Wow, no kidding, completely agreed. Your highlights/lowlights look amazing in that braid. It's very well done too!

Wow, no kidding, completely agreed. Your highlights/lowlights look amazing in that braid. It's very well done too!

Thank you!