I'm getting the hang of this braiding lark

[bunzfan]

I have always managed since i was a child to work out a braid i learnt at 9 how to do a French braid on my own head as my mum couldn't do it but, after coming here and learning there are so many other braids i wanted to master them to.

I looked at various links at pictures and i just couldn't get my head round it then i turned to Youtube and to date i have mastered Dutch braid, Herringbone braid and just yesterday i learnt the 4 strand braid:cheese: i have been batling this one for ages i think these two video's helped the most http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwr0ZMPOEMk and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaY7Z4k4Vcs&feature=fvst

Some how my four strand doesn't look as thick and flat as hers i wondered if i am doing a round one somehow i have basically holding two sections and weaving two and then catching hold of the other two and doing the same thing if that makes sense.

But just this morning i have got the 5 strand braid :D i did it on wet hair as i heard that's easier when your learning and in one of the video's it said if you alway hold three section in one hand and drop the other two after you have braided your section through them.

I wonder why i found the 5 strand easier hmm anyway it looks really cool.

[jojo]

Well dont you, I can never quite get a 4 strand right, so I am very impressed when somebody masters them.

[bunzfan]

Well dont you, I can never quite get a 4 strand right, so I am very impressed when somebody masters them.

Thank you i think doing it on wet hair really helps as you don't loose the sections.

[serious]

Pics or it didn't happen!!!:p

[bunzfan]

Pics or it didn't happen!!!:p

Oh you:p my baby hid the camera last week but i just found it. Here you go.

http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h400/emmerline1/th_001-16.jpg (http://s1107.photobucket.com/albums/h400/emmerline1/?action=view&current=001-16.jpg)

Clickable

http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h400/emmerline1/th_002-8.jpg (http://s1107.photobucket.com/albums/h400/emmerline1/?action=view&current=002-8.jpg)

[serious]

Ooooh...very pretty!!!!!

[PianoPlaye]

Wow, that looks Great!
Don't mean to go OT but I thought braiding wet was a Bad Thing? Or are you allowed to for more than three strands?!
(Sorry, I bemuse easily.)

[bunzfan]

Wow, that looks Great!
Don't mean to go OT but I thought braiding wet was a Bad Thing? Or are you allowed to for more than three strands?!
(Sorry, I bemuse easily.)

Thank you:) i think as long as you don't pull really tightly on the strands its ok, on my wavy layered hair its a lot easier to braid damp hair than dry hair.

[charalito]

Congratulations on the 4 and 5 strand braids! Looks great!

I'm a fan a fancy braids and my accomplishments this year were only herringbone and rope braids. Thought more length was needed to rock the 5 strand, but since we have almost the same length, you have inspired me to try :)

Yay for braid enabling! :applause

[celebriangel]

Very impressed! I love braiding, but I really want to master a herringbone, at which I currently fail miserably. Can anyone direct me to a vid tutorial?

[bunzfan]

Very impressed! I love braiding, but I really want to master a herringbone, at which I currently fail miserably. Can anyone direct me to a vid tutorial?

Thank you:) i had to look at loads before i mastered it try these ;)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smJvLUl89ko
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCdXiKsdLMs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaY7Z4k4Vcs

[tinti]

Congratulations! I looove the 4 and 5 strand braids! I can do a 4 strand but not a 5 strand ... yet. Think maybe my hair's to short.

[blue_nant]

FWIW, there are more than one 4-strand braid. One forms a flat plait (twist the outside two strands, then twist the inside two strands, then repeat) and another forms a round cord, like a bolo tie. (I *so* can't describe this one) The bolo tie is much harder for me, and I will get "stuck" and switch back to the flat braid very easily.

It's quite hard to get the early parts of the braid smooth. Those arm muscles, ow!

[spidermom]

The easiest way for me to do a nice flat 4-strand is to think of what I'm doing on each side:
1) Cross one side over the 2 middle strands.
2) Go to the opposite side and cross over 1 middle strand (you will be crossing over the strand you just moved in 1).

Repeat 1) then 2) to end.

[khan]

Thanks for the vid links. I'm trying to do something different a couple times a week. Torrin's tip of rope braiding before trying the 4 strand makes a lot of sense. I seem to spend at least as much time finger combing through the length to prevent tangles as I do actually braiding.

[bunzfan]

FWIW, there are more than one 4-strand braid. One forms a flat plait (twist the outside two strands, then twist the inside two strands, then repeat) and another forms a round cord, like a bolo tie. (I *so* can't describe this one) The bolo tie is much harder for me, and I will get "stuck" and switch back to the flat braid very easily.

It's quite hard to get the early parts of the braid smooth. Those arm muscles, ow!

Thank you for this it sounds so complicated but i'm sure once you practice it a bit i should get it.


The easiest way for me to do a nice flat 4-strand is to think of what I'm doing on each side:
1) Cross one side over the 2 middle strands.
2) Go to the opposite side and cross over 1 middle strand (you will be crossing over the strand you just moved in 1).

Repeat 1) then 2) to end.

Thank you very much i will be practising


Thanks for the vid links. I'm trying to do something different a couple times a week. Torrin's tip of rope braiding before trying the 4 strand makes a lot of sense. I seem to spend at least as much time finger combing through the length to prevent tangles as I do actually braiding.

Strangely enough i find the 5 strand easier than the 4 maybe its because i have layers;)

[bunzfan]

I have almost accomplished every braid i wanted to try, since this morning i can do a French rope braid thanks to this excellent tutorial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQLIjmsFuVw.

I wonder if a three strand Rope braid is any more difficult hmmm.....

[Eirelin]

I am still working on the 4 and 5-strand. I managed to do the 5-strand a few times years ago, but I'm afraid I have forgotten how.

My other goal right now is to figure out good ways of positioning and/or mixing the braids I know, like Dreamweaver does. You know, taking the Dutch braid I know and being able to get it around my head as a crown without getting mixed up about halfway through when I have to change my hands to reach. Or doing the French waterfall on each side with a herringbone in the middle, like arc's, with a braided rose bun at the bottom (once it is long enough and more layers are grown out). not to mention adding the accent braids; I love those things.

[bunzfan]

I am still working on the 4 and 5-strand. I managed to do the 5-strand a few times years ago, but I'm afraid I have forgotten how.

My other goal right now is to figure out good ways of positioning and/or mixing the braids I know, like Dreamweaver does. You know, taking the Dutch braid I know and being able to get it around my head as a crown without getting mixed up about halfway through when I have to change my hands to reach. Or doing the French waterfall on each side with a herringbone in the middle, like arc's, with a braided rose bun at the bottom (once it is long enough and more layers are grown out). not to mention adding the accent braids; I love those things.

I love all these braids to and love the Dreamweavers web site but because there are only pics my visual mind can't quite get in straight in my mind.

I love Arc's waterfall braid/fishtale braid but i've never done a waterfall braid is it any more difficult than than a 4 strand or a French rope as i can do those now, in fact your picture inspired me to give that a try:D

[Eirelin]

I love all these braids to and love the Dreamweavers web site but because there are only pics my visual mind can't quite get in straight in my mind.

I love Arc's waterfall braid/fishtale braid but i've never done a waterfall braid is it any more difficult than than a 4 strand or a French rope as i can do those now, in fact your picture inspired me to give that a try:D

It was really easy, or it would be if my hair was longer. I tried to give step-by-step instructions on her thread and posted it a couple of hours ago or so, so if you want to take a look over there, you can try it out (or tell me that it makes no sense whatsoever).

Basically, the waterfall is a French braid where, on one side, instead of adding to that strand and then crossing it over, you DROP that strand that is in your hand, pick up the next strand that you would have added, and proceed with that new strand. The next time you get back to that side of the braid, you do it again, drop your strand, pick up the new strand, and use it instead.

i don't know if this helps, but watching Lilith Moon's video on youtube helps a lot.

And doing the herringbone/fishtail with the waterfall pieces was much easier than a regular herringbone/fishtail, too.

[arc691]

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy68/terryandjody/More%20More%20Smilies/1889178vot1p4btjm.gif

Congratulations! These pictures look great!