Crochet braids

Crochet braids are a quick protective style where pre-made hair, curls, twists, braids or faux locs, is looped onto cornrows with a small hook. Because the hair is ready-made, the install is far faster than braiding each piece by hand, which makes crochet one of the easiest ways to change your look for a few weeks. This page explains what crochet braids involve, what they cost in the UK, who they suit and what to expect at the appointment, then points you to braiders near you who do them.

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What are Crochet braids?

Crochet braids start with your own hair cornrowed flat to the scalp. The braider then uses a latch hook to pull lengths of pre-made hair through those cornrows and secures each piece with a knot. The hair comes ready in packs as curls, waves, straight lengths, twists, braids or faux locs, so the style is really chosen at the shop: whatever texture and length you buy is the look you get.

That is the main appeal. Because nothing is braided strand by strand, a full head goes in quickly, and you can wear textures that would take many hours to braid by hand. Crochet is a protective style, since your natural hair is cornrowed away underneath and left alone, and it is gentle as long as the cornrow base is not put in too tight.

The looks you can get

Crochet covers a lot of ground. Curly and wavy crochet gives big, soft volume. Pre-twisted and pre-braided packs mimic passion twists, box braids or faux locs in a fraction of the time. Marley and Afro-kinky hair blends in for a natural texture. You can wear it long or cut and shaped into a bob, and styles can be parted, tied up or left loose.

Crochet versus hand braiding

If you want braids or twists but cannot sit for six or eight hours, crochet versions get you a similar look in much less time. The trade-off is that crochet hair is looped on rather than braided into your own hair, so it does not sit quite as flat at the root as a hand-braided style and tends to come out sooner.

Typical cost

Crochet braids in the UK usually cost around £60 to £120 at a salon, with the hair included or charged on top depending on the braider. Marley, pre-twisted and curly crochet styles tend to sit in the £100 to £120 range; simpler or shorter styles can be less. London and the larger cities are at the top of the range, and home-based or mobile braiders are sometimes a little cheaper.

The price reflects the cornrow base, the time to loop and shape the hair, and how much pre-made hair the style needs. Because the install is quick, crochet is often cheaper than the equivalent hand-braided style, though the pre-made hair itself can add up for fuller or longer looks. Check whether the quote includes the hair and the cornrow base before you book.

Who this is for

Crochet braids are a good pick if you want a protective style without a long appointment, if you like changing texture often, or if you want big curls or locs without committing to hours of hand braiding. They suit most hair types, and they are forgiving for anyone newer to protective styles, since they go in and come out easily.

They are a strong choice when time or budget is tight, for a holiday or event where you want volume fast, and for giving your own hair a rest under the cornrows. They are less ideal if you want the flattest, longest-lasting root finish, since looped hair loosens sooner than braided hair, or if you want very sleek, close styles. If that is the goal, knotless or box braids hold up better.

Because the base is cornrows, the same care about tension applies: ask for a comfortable base, especially at the hairline. Children can wear crochet too, and the short appointment makes it one of the easier styles for younger ones to sit through.

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What to expect at the appointment

Start with a quick chat about the texture and length you want, since the hair is chosen by the pack. Some braiders ask you to buy the hair in advance, others supply it, so confirm that and the price first. Come with clean, blow-dried, detangled hair unless prep is part of the service.

The appointment is short by braiding standards. Cornrowing the base and looping the hair usually takes two to four hours, which is part of why crochet is so popular. The cornrow base is where any tightness shows, so flag it early if it pulls. Once the hair is on, the braider trims and shapes it to suit you.

Care is easy. Wrap the hair at night in a satin scarf or bonnet to keep curls from tangling and frizzing. Refresh curly textures with a little water or a light leave-in, and keep the cornrow base clean with diluted shampoo on the scalp. Crochet braids last around four to eight weeks. Take them out before the cornrows underneath grow out and start to matte, usually around the six to eight week mark.

Crochet braids FAQs

How long do crochet braids last?
Around four to eight weeks. Curly textures often look best for the first month, while twists and locs can go a little longer. Take them down before the cornrow base grows out too far, usually by week eight.
Are crochet braids damaging?
They are one of the gentler protective styles, because the hair is looped onto cornrows rather than pulled tight into your own. The thing to watch is the cornrow base; if it is too tight at the hairline it can stress your edges, so ask for comfortable tension.
How long does it take to install crochet braids?
Usually two to four hours, including cornrowing the base. That is much faster than hand-braiding the same look, which is a big part of the appeal.
Can I wash crochet braids?
Yes. Clean the scalp and cornrow base with diluted shampoo and let everything dry fully. Refresh curly hair with water or a light leave-in. Avoid heavy product at the roots, which builds up and shortens how long the style lasts.

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