How to Do a Bantu Knot-Out on Short Hair

A Bantu knot wraps hair fairly tightly.

Bantu knots have become a common styling choice for people with thick, curly or coarse hair. They provide instant hair protection by keeping the hair ends neatly tucked under the knot. Taking out a Bantu knot is called a "knot-out," but the Bantu knot-out styling method refers to creating and removing the knot. It can be performed on short hair that is at least 2 inches long. Removing a Bantu knot transforms short hair into waves and ringlets produced without heat.

Things You'll Need

• Wide-toothed comb
• Hair clips or cotton bands
• Setting lotion or gel
• Spray bottle of water (optional)
• Hairpins (optional)
• Bonnet-style hairdryer (optional)
• Leave-in hair conditioner
• Oil sheen
• Hairspray

Instructions

Forming Bantu Knots

1. Part damp hair into sections with a wide-toothed. Make each section at least 1 inch wide. To achieve a loose hairstyle, however, make each section 2 to 3 inches wide. Secure the sections with hair clips or cotton bands.

2. Choose a section of hair, and apply setting lotion or gel to it to hold the style and eliminate frizz. Twist the section of hair by turning it through your fingers as if you were turning a corkscrew or turning it in a spiraling motion. The hair should resemble a rope. If the hair starts to dry, spray it lightly with water.

3. Wrap the twisted section of hair around itself in a circular motion to form a knot. If your hair is under 2 inches long, then secure the hair ends with hairpins to prevent unraveling. Alternatively, and if your hair is long enough, tuck the ends underneath the knot.

4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for each section of hair, making a knot from each hair section.

5. Wait for your hair to dry naturally, such as overnight. The knots may require several hours to dry. An option is to sit underneath a bonnet-style hairdryer, but air-drying works best.

Taking Out Bantu Knots

1. Remove all hairpins, and uncoil the knots one section of hair at a time without disturbing the hair strands too much. Overhandling the hair will cause frizz and affect the hairstyle.

2. Remove the twist from the hair, and apply a leave-in hair conditioner to strands lightly. Use your fingers to comb and style your hair.

3. Apply oil sheen and hairspray to set the style.

Tips & Warnings

• Cleanse hair thoroughly before applying Bantu knots

• Apply a leave-in conditioner for thirsty, dry hair before knotting and removing knots.

• Use a satin scarf or pillow at night to keep your hairstyle in place.

References

• Perfect Locks: How to Create Bantu Knots and Bantu Knot-Outs; September 2010

Resources

• Curly Nikki: Achieving the Perfect Bantu Knot-Out