How to Make a Braid

Braiding isn't just for hair. You can braid string, rope or even bread. Read on to learn a few basic techniques for braiding that will work with anything stranded.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Basic Three Strand Braid

1. This is the most basic way to make a braid. It starts with pulling all three strands out straight.

2. Cross the middle strand up and over to the left.

3. Cross the new middle strand (the strand which used to be the right strand) up and over to the right.

4. Pull all three strands together to tighten your braid.

5. Repeat until you have braided as much as you want to.

Odd Number Braiding

6. Take five, seven or any other odd number of strands and stretch them out straight.

7. Take the farthest left strand and move it into the middle so that there are the same number of strands on either side of it.

8. Take the farthest right strand and move it into the middle.

9. Pull on the strands to tighten.

10. Repeat the above steps.

11. For a reverse braid, take the middle strand and move it to the left. Then take the new middle strand and move it to the right. The procedure is almost exactly the same, but the result looks totally different.