This was my second attempt at yarn twists and they came out much prettier than my first attempt twists. It was my second time plaiting my hair in braids instead of getting someone else to do it too. The first time, was a lot messier because I got impatient and I was just inexperienced at doing my own hair. THe second time is much neater although I had cramps everywhere, fingers, wrists, neck, shoulders, bum, knees, you name it. It took me a whole weekend and three rolls of acrylic wool (which ended up being a little less than I actually needed).
Yarn twists/braids are basically just box braids/twists using acrylic wool instead of hair extensions.
My process of putting them in was as follows:
- I detangled, washed, conditioned with a protein conditioner, then a moisturising conditioner and air dried my hair in braids to stretch my hair
- Sectioned my hair into 8 manageable parts and cut strings of yarn. I wanted just a few inches longer than shoulder length twists, so I cut the wool strings quite long, about double my mid back length
- Using my fingers (and tail comb sometimes), I made parts about 0.5inches in length and width
- Taking four pieces of wool, I bent them in the middle to have 8 pieces then plaited the 0.5inch part rooting it by braiding a few centimetres then twisting the rest
- When twisting, since my twists would unravel, I would twist each individual piece against itself then twist the parts around each other. I do this when I twist my own natural hair too or else the twist won’t stay put
- I plaited from the back, my edges, then finished with the middle of my head
- For the ends I got help to cut them straight, then using a lighter and a candle I burnt the ends
Tips for yarn twists / braids
- Make sure you use 100% acrylic yarn and not just any wool. In Zimbabwe, most of the yarn found in the supermarkets is acrylic. Here it’s just called acrylic wool and will usually state if it’s 100%
- Try to match the colour of your hair to the yarn to make it look natural, you can experiment and have fun with lots of other colours too
- Keep them moisturised. I have been doing the same process of moisturising as when my hair is out.
- Keep them clean by washing as usual, although yarn is heavy when wet
- Make sure you continue using a satin scarf/bonet or pillowcase as usual.
Related articles
- Yarn Twists / Yarn Braids / Yarn Wraps / Yarn Locs / Genie Locs Hairspiration Part 1 (tafistresses.wordpress.com)
Tafi's Tresses 
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