For a 4-strand round braid, one or two colors are typically used in different configurations, but you can use up to four different colors for each strand if you wish. For an 8-strand braid, typically one or two colors are used to create patterns, but you can use as many as eight different colors for each strand.
You can fold over one longer piece of your material to create two strands, in which case you will tie together the loop ends of the folded pieces. Remember that this will create two strands of the same color when you plan out what colors you will use. Don’t worry about how neat or perfect this knot is, as you will likely redo it or use a fastening instead to complete your final braided item.
If you prefer to work on a flat surface to help keep your strands in order, opt for taping the end down to a table or other horizontal surface that your material can lay flat on. If you prefer to keep tension on the strands and hold onto and manipulate them with your fingers the whole time, opt for suspending the end from a hook or an angled surface that you can pull the strands out from.
Begin with two strands of the same color in the middle, and the outside two strands in a different color, for a pattern that will look like a spiral. In other words, you can hold one strand of each color in each hand if you are holding onto the strands to braid. Begin with two strands of one color on the left and two strands of another color on the right for a pattern that will look like diamond shapes or a square with four colored sides. In other words, hold one color in one hand and one color in the other if you’re holding onto the strands the whole time to braid.
For a two-color wide chevron pattern that appears on two sides of the braid, place two strands of each color on the left (or in your left hand) and two strands of each color on the right (or in your right hand). Four strands of the same color should all be next to each other in the middle. For a two-color narrow chevron pattern that appears on all four sides of the braid, arrange the strands alternately with a strand of the first color, then a strand of the second color, then a strand of the first color, and so on. For two-colored stripes down the braid, place all four strands of one color on the left (or in your left hand) and all four strands of the other color on the right (or in your right hand).
If it helps you, you can think about labelling the strands from left to right as A, B, C, and D when you begin. Bring the D strand underneath C and B so that the order is now A, D, B, C. [2] X Research source Either place your strands carefully on a flat surface or hold them tightly in your hand, as they must remain in order throughout the braiding.
If you’re using letters to label your strands, you would be taking the D strand and placing it over B so that it is in between B and C. The order from left to right would then be A, B, D, C. Tighten the strands up toward your end knot so that the braid stays even. Make sure the strands stay spread out in the same way as when you began, even though some will have changed positions.
Your lettered strands were A, B, D, C from left to right after tightening the first side. You will now take the A strand and bring it underneath B and D. Thus the new order will be B, D, A, C. Remember to keep all strands carefully in place while you braid, whether laying them out neatly on a table or holding them firmly in your hands.
If following letters from the previous step that ended in the order B, D, A, C: Bring A over D so that it rests in between B and D. The new order from left to right will then be B, A, D, C. Tighten the strands up toward your end knot to keep the braid looking even. Now you have completed this sequence on both the right and left side. Keep the strands separated in the same way as you begun, even though they are now in a different order.
If you forget what side you left off on at any point, you can tell which strand to start with because either the rightmost or leftmost strand will appear slightly higher up where it comes out of your braid. This is the strand to move next. [3] X Research source Pause occasionally if you are using very long pieces of material for your braid to untangle them at the ends. Ensure that you don’t lose the order of your strands by holding them down with your hand or another heavy flat object while you gently untangle the ends.
Make sure you pay attention to where colors are placed if you’re going for a certain pattern. As you start making your braid, you should return to this placement of four strands to the left and four to the right to ensure that the strands stay neat and in order.
If you’d like to use letters to help keep track of the strands, you can label them A, B, C, D . E, F, G, H, with the “. " indicating the space you should leave between the two groups of strands. Take the H strand and bring it underneath G, F, E, D, and C so that it rests in between B and C. The new order would be A, B, H, C . D, E, F, G. Keep the strands arranged so that some extend out to the right and some extend out to the left. Once you move the rightmost strand in this step, there will temporarily be five strands on the left and only three on the right.
With lettering, take the H strand from its position between B and C at the end of the previous step. Wrap it over C and D to rest next to E on the right side. The new configuration would be: A, B, C, D . H, E, F, G. Tighten the strands by pulling up toward the end knot. It’s essential that you keep four strands on the right and four on the left, even though you’ve changed the positions of the strands slightly.
With lettered strands after the previous steps, the order was A, B, C, D . H, E, F, G. Now, take the A strand and bring it under B, C, D, H, and E so that it rests between E and F. Just like on the first side, this will temporarily make it so that there are now five strands on one side (the right this time) and only three strands on the other (the left this time).
With lettering, you’ll move the A strand that you placed between E and F previously. Take it over E and H so that it rests on the other side next to D. The order then becomes B, C, D, A . H, E, F, G. Tighten the strands up toward the end knot and you have now completed the same thing on both sides. Keep four strands on the right and left like you do to begin, even though they are now in a different order.
If at any point you forget what side you left off on, the strand to start with is the rightmost or leftmost strand that appears slightly higher up where it comes out of your braid. [4] X Research source Pause to untangle your strands if you are using long pieces of material. Keep the order of your strands by holding them down with your hand or another heavy flat object while you gently untangle the ends.
