Hunter mane braiding tutorial

[Huntseat]

Alright, per several requests, I have made a tutorial on how I braid manes Hope this is helpful!

What you'll need:

• Cotton crochet thread - Thinner than normal yarn but much thicker than sewing thread.
• Crochet needle or latch hook (much easier to use)
• Scissors
• Horse with mane pulled to about 4 inches. The mane I was working on was too long which made the braids a little bit too long, but it won't affect the tutorial too much.

Step 1: Cut about 35 two foot long strips of crochet thread. At first you may want to tie a knot in the middle of each strip to make step 2 a bit easier.

Step 2: Section mane into 1/2 to 3/4 inch section and use either a hairtie or a hair clip to hold the rest of the mane out of your way. Braid it while incorporating the thread into two of your braiding strands. Your strips will be folded in half, so the knot from step one will be near the very top of your braid. I like to spray hairspray on each section of hair before I braid, it helps keep flyaways under control and it makes the hair easier to grip. Unfortunately I didn't have any today when I took these pictures.




Step 3: Braid as close to the ends as you can. You don't want to end up with more than 1/4 to 1/2 inch of hair below the end of the braid.




Step 4: At the end of the braid, loop both strands of thread around the braid in a knot and pull tight. Do that two or three times.




Step 5: Poke your crochet needle or latch hook down through the top of the braid next to the crest right in the middle of the braid.


Step 6: Hook the thread hanging below the braid and pull it up through the top of the braid.




They should all look like this when step 6 is finished.


Step 7: Separate the two threads at the top of the braid. Take them UNDER the looped braid and crisscross them, and then bring them back to the top again.




Step 8: After bringing them to the top, tie them together in a single knot on top of the braid.


Step 9: Push the top of the braid loop up underneath the knot to create the little "bubble" and make the braid lay flat against the neck. Then tie a second knot to secure it while holding that "bubble" with your thumb to keep it tight.




Step 10: Snip the thread ends off of each braid. Don't cut them too close or they might come out. I usually leave about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of thread.





When you're finished, give it another good dose of hairspray to help control flyaways and straighten out each braid.

All done!

[HorseClicks]

Nice I use gel instead of hair spray, and soak it into the braids just before I pull them up. I also like to use a rug hook instead of a crochet hook. Rug hooks have a little flap that covers the hook part and stops hairs from getting caught as you pull them through. You can find them at fabric/craft stores.

[Huntseat]

Yep, I posted a link to a picture of a latch hook under "what you need". They ARE much, much easier to use, but unfortunately mine disappeared at the last show I braided at and I haven't gotten another one.

I'll have to try the gel sometime. Any particular type that you use? Have you used hairspray and if so, how does it compare? It would be a good solution for braiding horses that don't like being sprayed.

[royalrox]

also just a little tip to make them a bit sturdier if they have o be in for a while is totie a knot on the top of the braid before you tie the knot in the middle...if that made sense lol

[kb1gra]

Yep, I posted a link to a picture of a latch hook under "what you need". They ARE much, much easier to use, but unfortunately mine disappeared at the last show I braided at and I haven't gotten another one.

I'll have to try the gel sometime. Any particular type that you use? Have you used hairspray and if so, how does it compare? It would be a good solution for braiding horses that don't like being sprayed.

I tend to use styling wax instead of gel because it really tacks down the flyaways and gives some grip.

Works really well with sewn in braids using waxed thread, but that's another tutorial entirely, much harder than braiding with yarn =]

[xduckehx]

REALLY nice, and clear tutorial. great job!! totally keeping this close so I can look back LOL

[HorseClicks]

I don't gel before braiding as it tends to get slippery. I use the cheapest, strongest gel I can find. By gelling before pulling up, I find it keeps the hair in place best, while doing it after pulling up tends to only act as a trap for dust and shavings. I have not used hair spray - too many horses hate the sound, and I had a ditzy Tb mare who would have hit the roof had I tried it

One cool trick for taking out braids afterwards - try wetting them. The wet braids tend to fall out easier for some reason.

[Huntseat]

I tend to use styling wax instead of gel because it really tacks down the flyaways and gives some grip.

Works really well with sewn in braids using waxed thread, but that's another tutorial entirely, much harder than braiding with yarn =]

That's also something I'll try!

I have always sewn my braids, but I really like the yarn method and I actually think it looks better. Way easier, too.

[iheartcloudnine]

Wow, really great tutorial! Thank ya.

[phoenixfyre71]

thanks for the tutorial. Nice step by step pictures!