Crochet Braids
Crochet Styles
Also known as: Latch-Hook Braids
Illustration -- About our illustrations
Crochet braids are an installation method: your natural hair is cornrowed, and pre-made extension pieces (braids, twists, locs or curls) are pulled through the cornrows with a latch hook and knotted in place. It is one of the fastest ways to wear a full head of braids or curls.
Distinguishing characteristics
The extensions are attached to a cornrow base rather than braided onto each section of your hair, so installation is quick and your own hair stays braided underneath. The finished look depends on the pieces used: crochet box braids, crochet twists, crochet locs or curly crochet hair.
Advantages
Very quick installs, lots of texture choices, and less handling of your own hair.
Considerations
The covered base is harder to cleanse, and some crochet hair tangles quickly.
Warning signs
Itching, odour, tenderness or bumps under the base mean the style should come out.
Preparation
Start with clean, conditioned, stretched hair. Choose the crochet hair and agree the cornrow pattern; the pattern decides where you can part the finished style.
Daily Care
Moisturise the cornrows underneath with a light spray. Treat curly crochet hair as the product type needs.
Night Care
Cover with a satin bonnet; separate and loosely braid long curly pieces to limit tangling.
Washing
Wash the scalp carefully with diluted shampoo through the base, rinse well and dry the cornrows completely; the thick base dries slowly.
Scalp Care
The cornrow base is covered, so check the rows regularly for itching or tightness.
Refreshing
Replace individual frizzy or tangled pieces; a stylist can redo the front rows.
Removal
Cut the knotted extension pieces close to the cornrows (taking care not to cut your own hair), remove them, then take down the cornrows and detangle.
Styling tips
Crochet box braids, curly ends and waist-length versions are popular; leaving out your own hair at the front gives a natural hairline.
At a glance
- Estimated price
- $150–$500
Planning estimate, not a validated market benchmark -- local salon pricing varies and this figure should not be treated as a typical or standard price. - Chair time
- 2–4 hrs
- Sizes
- Medium, Medium-Large
- Lengths
- Shoulder Length, Mid-Back Length, Bob Length, Waist Length
- Looks
- 6 looks
Looks
- Medium Crochet Braids -- Medium, Shoulder Length, Natural Black
- Crochet Box Braids -- Medium, Mid-Back Length, Dark Brown
- Crochet Braids with Curly Ends -- Medium-Large, Bob Length, Natural Black
- Crochet Twists
- Curly Crochet
- Waist-Length Crochet Braids -- Medium, Waist Length, Natural Black
Price & time
- Estimated price: $150–$500
- Estimated time: 2–4 hrs
- Confidence: Medium
Planning estimate, not a validated market benchmark -- local salon pricing varies and this figure should not be treated as a typical or standard price.
US national estimate.
Culture & history
Crochet Braids and the Latch-Hook Installation Method
Crochet braids install pre-looped extension hair onto a cornrowed or braided natural-hair base using a latch hook, rather than braiding the extension hair in strand by strand -- a meaningfully faster installation method that opened protective styling to shorter natural-hair lengths (as little as roughly one inch) than most individually braided styles allow. The method is well documented in contemporary Black hair-care sources as a distinct, named installation technique rather than a cosmetic variant of another style.