How to Do a Nine-Strand Braid

Nine-stranded braids look great as a hairstyle, especially if you have very long hair and plenty of ribbon. They are also great for arts and crafts, especially weaved jewelry. While obviously more complicated than your average braid, it follows the same principle as any other. Just keep track of your strands.

Instructions

1. Tie a group of nine strands together at one end. Hold five strands taut and separated in the left hand and four strands in the right.

2. Place the left-most strand from the left-hand group towards the center over the two most adjacent strands and under the next two strands.

3. Move the right-most strand from the right-hand group toward the center over the two most adjacent strands and under the next adjacent two (one of which will be the previous left-most strand).

4. Pull the new left-most strand over towards the center under two, then over two.

5. Maneuver the new right-most strand under two, then over two.

6. Repeat these steps until you have the desired length or until you are near the end. Tie off the end.

Tips & Warnings

• For a tighter braid, pull up the strand you are working on tighter against the strands over which it was braided before moving to the next strand.

• Exert even pressure each time or else your braid may end up lopsided.