four strand rope braid pics/directions

[Elainehali]

I haven't seen any of these. I'd like to think I invented them! Here are my directions. And I'm assuming that someone knows how to make a simple rope braid before attempting this one.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/elainehali/1.jpg
Step one detangled hair. This is a section of a Hannah Montanna wig. It shows up better in pictures than my hair.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/elainehali/2.jpg
Split the hair to be braided into two equal sections, and make a rope braid with one of the sections. Use an elastic to keep the braid in place.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/elainehali/3.jpg
Now devide the second section of hair in two.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/elainehali/4.jpg
Take the piece closest to the braid and twist it in the same direction as the other two strands already in the braid.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/elainehali/5.jpg
Here's the secret! Take the twisted section and wind it along the braid. It should fit into a groove in the braid and be traced all the way down.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/elainehali/6.jpg
Continue twisting the strand along the same groove all the way down.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/elainehali/7.jpg
When you get to the bottom of the braid take off the elastic holding the first part together and re-tie it to hold the three strands together.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/elainehali/8.jpg
The last section should be twisted in the same direction as the first three. Then placed in a groove of the braid and wound all the way down to the bottom.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/elainehali/9.jpg
yay We're done!

I tried to be clear, so hopefully the pictures in addition to my feeble attempts to explain got my message across.

[coppercurls]

That is so neat looking. Thank you for sharing.

[psvzum]

Beautiful! I've got to learn to do a rope braid ; )

[SweetPea88]

Wow, I'll have to give this one a try!

[eresh]

Thanks! This looks good to try! *bookmarked*

[embee]

Gracious! It certainly is pretty, but I have trouble doing *one* rope braid, and the idea of doing two or three or four roped together, is just mind boggling! Also, braids (rope or regular) get so fuzzy on me, and I'd hate to have to try to fix this every hour or so!

... but it sure would be nice to have such a "do". :) Thanks for the directions.

[Miss Murphy]

This looks really good, I am definitely going to try this!

Elainehali, why don't you submit that as an article? I think it might be useful to have it in a proper place, for future refernce for everybody :blossom:

[AprilElf]

Great tutorial. Yes, it should be an article!

I often twist two rope braids together, but that doesn't give this fine rope effect. Can't wait to try it! :D

[KaeleyAnne]

That method of rope braiding is a great idea. I like doing 3 or 4 strand rope braids using the usual method, but I can't get it to work on my own head. Since this 4-strand version only uses 2 strands at a time, I might be able to do it and get the same effect as doing a regular 4-strand rope braid!

[Elainehali]

Thanks everyone. I didn't know how to make an article when I posted this. I did however figure it out, and it's with the other articles.

=p Now that I'm out of school there may be more to come.

[Gumball]

That's really neat! I'll have to remember this and give it a try sometime. It's just a little extra work but visually it's really pretty. Thanks for sharing this!

[Lunnafindel]

I just tried this out today, and it looks cool, but I have a question: How do you know where to put the 4th strand in? by the time you're done weaving in the 3rd, the gaps/grooves all look the same, yet when I wove the 4th in it looked somehow lopsided...
Maybe I'll just stick to 3 strands - that looks just as cool and doesn't make my mind spin counterclockwise :)

[Juliannaissance]

Awesome! I'm gonna try this soon! :D Thanks for the secret...hehe

[little_cherry]

I'm definitely giving this one a shot! Thank you so much for sharing!

[Aevra]

Ooo pretty! I"ll need to learn a rope braid to get this one down!

Also: Yay Colorado!

[Loreley]

It looks awesome! :thumbsup:
I can do a simple rope braid but even that is difficult to me... :monkey:

[Aditi]

Very Nice!!! Has anybody tried a rope-braid bun???

[Blond Unicorn]

I absolutly have to try this one. Looks gorgeous

[MommyShay923]

Sooo neat looking!!

[Phexlyn]

That looks pretty! :)
And it doesn't sound as complicated as the three-strand rope braid...

[TrudieCat]

This looks really great! Thanks!

[eezepeeze]

I often do 2 rope braids twisted together (cable braid?), but I love the cool, ropy look of this one. Seems simple to do, also. Just twisting, no complicated braiding or weaving.

I think I will try this for church tomorrow.

[Sarahmoon]

Thanks! I couldn't figure out how to do it with more than two strands!

[C. sinensis]

Wow, this actually works! :bigeyes: :D
Thanks!

[Juneii]

Interesting! Thank you for sharing! I'll be trying this after my shower today :)

[milagro]

Looks amazing, such a neat "rope".
:flower:

I wish I could try it but I'm afraid it's impossible with layers :(

[DARKMARTIAN]

Wow....Ive always done mine with three strands.

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=5452&pictureid=90177

And up until a couple days ago didnt even think they could be made with just two. Three for me isnt that difficult, but its hard enough. I dont think I even want to attempt a four strand....:o

[LissaJane]

Very cool looking.
I need to try out and master the original rope braid first, but I am definitely going to try this!

[Vorvolaka]

I love that! I can't wait until my layers grow out so I can rope braid again.