How to Crochet Hair: A Beginner’s Friendly Guide

Crochet hair is one of my go-to styles when I want a quick, low-stress look that still feels luxurious and full of personality. Whether you’re craving bouncy curls, laid‑back waves, or a pop of color, this method lets you switch up your style without spending hours in the salon chair. I’ve broken down every step from start to finish—grab your supplies, and let’s get started!

Source: Pinterest

1. Prepping Your Hair

Before I touch a single braid, I always wash my hair with a gentle, sulfate‑free shampoo and follow up with a rich conditioner. There’s nothing worse than trying to cornrow tangled hair, so after rinsing, I softly detangle with a wide‑tooth comb. Sometimes I even give my curls a quick, low‑heat blow‑dry to stretch them out—it makes braiding feel like a breeze.

2. Braiding Your Base

Next is braid patterns—straight‑back cornrows, zigzags, even Vixen styles—and you can really pick whatever suits your vibe. Personally, I love starting with straight‑back cornrows and, as I finish one row, I tuck its tail right into the start of the next braid. That little trick weaves everything into a tight, beautiful network that won’t budge.

Tips: leave just enough space between rows (about the width of my fingertip) so the crochet hook can slip under easily without tugging at my scalp.

3. Nourishing and Separating Your Crochet Hair

Right before hooking in extensions, I massage a light growth oil—castor or tea‑tree works wonders—across my scalp to keep things moisturized. Then I open up my pre‑looped crochet hair and gently separate it into two chunky sections. If you go too fine, the finished look can get frizzy, so I find these slightly thicker bundles give the best blend.

4. Spacing and Hooking In

Now comes the satisfying part. At the back of my head, I keep my stitches about a finger’s width apart so the weight doesn’t drag me down, but as I move toward the crown, I tuck them in more snugly for that full‑on, natural‑looking volume.

I slide my latch hook under the braid, hook the hair bundle, and pull it through just enough to leave a loop. From there, I feed the loose ends through the loop and gently tug until the knot sits comfortably at the root, never so tight that I get a headache, but snug enough to feel secure.

5. Invisible Roots for a Seamless Finish

Source: Pinterest

Here is my invisible root technique. When I’m near my hairline or along partings, I pull only half the bundle through that loop and leave the other half hanging outside, then pull them to make the knot tighter. It makes each knot nestle right against the scalp, so the crochet hair literally looks like it’s growing straight out of your head.

6. Styling and Personal Touches

Once my hair is all set, I spritz a bit of water mixed with leave‑in conditioner and scrunch to awaken the curls. Sometimes I’ll swoop a few baby hairs with edge control for that polished finish.

Final Thought

And that’s it—my honest, step‑by‑step crochet routine! If you’d like to follow along visually, check out this video tutorial, which is super detailed and easy to follow. Now go ahead and have fun with your style—mix in different bundle textures, play with bold color bundles, or gently dip the ends for a fresh twist. Happy experimenting!

FAQs about Crochet Hair

Now that you’ve got the full step-by‑step guide to crochet hair, let’s tackle a few common questions you might still have. These quick FAQs will give you clear, to‑the‑point answers so you can rock your crochet style with confidence.

How Long Does Crochet Hair Last?

With good after‑care—like nightly silk wraps, light moisturizing mists, and avoiding heavy oils—synthetic crochet hair stays looking fresh for about 4–6 weeks. If you’re using human‑hair extensions and keep up a regular maintenance routine, you can extend that to around 8-10 weeks.

Should I Crochet Wet or Dry Hair?

Always install crochet hair on clean, fully dry braids. Wet hair can stretch and weaken your cornrows, leading to slippage or breakage under the added weight of extensions.

How Many Packs of Crochet Hair to Do a Full Head?

You’ll typically need 2–4 packs of standard‑sized bundles for a shoulder‑length style. Longer or fuller looks may require 4–6 packs—always check the bundle weight and adjust based on your desired density.

How to Remove Crochet Hair

Just snip each knot close to the braid with scissors or shears, then gently pull the extension out. Once all the knots are gone, unravel your cornrows and detangle your natural hair carefully with a wide‑tooth comb.

Can You Wash Crochet Hair?

Yes! Mix a mild shampoo with water in a spray bottle, mist your braids, then rinse lightly. Follow up with a diluted conditioner, rinse again, and let it air‑dry before wrapping up at night.

How Much for Crochet Hair

Synthetic crochet bundles usually range from $5–$10 per pack, while pre‑looped human‑hair packs start around $15–$20. If you’re paying a stylist, installation fees can run $50–$100, depending on location and complexity.

What Are the Cons of Crochet Hair?

Too‑tight installation can cause scalp tension and discomfort, and neglecting maintenance can lead to matting at the roots. Synthetic hair may also feel less breathable and cannot be heat‑styled like human hair.