How to Make Yarn Dreads: Pros & Cons

When it comes to hairstyles for Black women, yarn dreads are one of the prettiest and most fun to personalize. They’re also budget-friendly and low-maintenance. These are all qualities every lady wishes for her hairstyle, so why wouldn’t you try them?

Not familiar with yarn dreads? Plain and simple, they’re extensions made from different types of yarn that are easily braided into your natural hair to create faux dreadlocks. Women often choose a yarn dread hairstyle because it allows them to express their sense of creative and colorful style.

If you’re considering a new look or just want a stylish look for a special upcoming occasion, there are a few things to know before jumping into yarn dreads.

Pros of Yarn Dreads

• Yarn dreads will last between three and six weeks, depending on how well you maintain them. This means you won’t have to worry about your next hairstyle for at least a little while.
• These come in a multitude of colors and can be as long or as short as you’d like. Since there’s so much room for personalization, you’ll never have to worry another lady has the same yarn dread hairstyle as you.

Cons of Yarn Dreads

• Drying your yarn dreads is probably the most time-consuming piece of maintaining this hairstyle. While they may be easy to wash, they can take a while to dry, depending on their length. You’ll want to aim to dry them completely within 12 hours. If they stay wet any longer, they run the risk of growing mildew.
• Some women have reported their dreads collecting lint. You can prevent this by not rocking the hairstyle in the winter months when there’s more static in the air. Static is what will attract lint and trap it in your locs.
• Normally, the fact that there is more than one type of yarn dread would be a good thing. However, women who have tried this hairstyle before recommend acrylic yarn dreads, not wool since it can be drying.

What’s Needed

To make yarn dread locs, you will need to gather a few materials.

• 4 to 8 skeins (rolls) of acrylic yarn (depending on desired length and thickness)
• Moisturizing Leave-In Conditioner
• Scissors
• Hair oil
• Time
• Patience

How to Achieve Yarn Dreads?

Here are the basic steps to get a new look with yarn dread locs.

1. Measure out five strands of yarn to match the length you are trying to achieve.
2. Cut the yarn on the ends so they’re even and open.
3. Ensure your hair is completely dry before starting. You can lightly apply oil to your scalp and strands to seal in moisture, but avoid applying water-based leave-ins immediately prior to wrapping to prevent mildew.
4. Separate yarn so you’re holding three strips in one hand and two strips in the other, then fold over so that they form a loop over the tops of your hand.
5. Next, interlock those loops so that they are linked together (no need to tie one side). Ideally, you would have multiple strands on both sides that are looped, then pulled snug at the base so the linked loops sit flat at the root.
6. Then, braid the yarn with the interlocked portion at the root nine times.
7. Gather four strings of yarn that match the length you are looking to achieve and wrap them around the braided portion of hair taking care not to apply too much tension to the scalp.
8. Overlap the new strings of yarn with the ends of the previous strings and continue wrapping tightly to secure them. Never tie knots directly into or over your natural hair, as it will cause impossible tangles during takedown.
9. From there, add four more strings by overlapping them with the previous ends, then continue wrapping where the hair is secured. Never tie knots directly into or over your natural hair, as it will cause impossible tangles during takedown.
10. Upon reaching the end, tie a knot, make five to six knots, then cut, trimming with care to make those ends as neat as possible.

There you have it! These are the steps to installing yarn dreads. You can also watch the below yarn dread tutorial.

Tips for Yarn Locs

Here are some tips that can make your experience with yarn dreads an easy and healthy one:

Moisturize first: Use the LOC method to moisturize your hair as it will be completely wrapped in yarn and you need it to stay hydrated for the duration. Think of the yarn as one more layer that protects your hair, but remember that while it’s protecting it, it’s also drying it out to a degree. Doing the LOC method before you start will help combat dryness.

Don’t start at the roots or make the wraps too tight: Your yarn wraps will pull at the scalp too much if you start at the roots. Also, you don’t want to install them too tightly. This might make them too uncomfortable to sleep in and wear. If you feel immediate pulling or notice tension bumps developing, remove the tight wraps immediately. To prevent follicle damage, ensure the installation is comfortable and tension-free from the start.

Seal the loc: After you’ve knotted the ends several times, burn them carefully with a match or a lighter to seal them properly. This only works with acrylic yarn, which is a form of plastic. Always seal your ends in a well-ventilated room, as melting plastic releases fumes that can irritate your eyes and lungs. Use a damp towel, a thimble, or the metal base of a lighter to lightly tap the end after it burns, molding it into a round knob. Never use your bare fingers to touch melted yarn. You don’t want it to turn black unless the yarn already is black, so just use a low flame and tap the end.

⚠️ FIRE AND TOXICITY WARNING: Sealing acrylic yarn involves melting plastic. You must do this in a highly ventilated room to avoid inhaling toxic fumes. Keep a bowl of water nearby. Never touch the melted yarn with your bare fingers, as the melted plastic will cause severe skin burns. Use a thimble, damp towel, or the metal base of your lighter to tap the ends flat.

Finish with hot water: To make your yarn locs more flexible and to give them a finished, more uniform look, dip them into hot water when you’re done wrapping.

How to Maintain Your Yarn Dreads

Now that you’ve installed your yarn locs, it’s time to maintain them. Basically, you’re going to use the same techniques you would use if you had braided extensions. Here’s how:

Use an applicator bottle for products

You’re going to cleanse and moisturize your hair on your normal schedule. But instead of applying shampoo and conditioner directly to your hair, you’re going to mix each in an applicator bottle. You want a liquid consistency that’s easy to move through the locs.

When cleansing, apply the watery shampoo to your scalp and use the pads of your fingers to scrub lightly. Focus the shampoo mixture only on your scalp and roots. When you rinse, simply let the soapy water run down the length of the locs to clean them without trapping suds deep inside the yarn. Then rinse well with warm water. To condition, follow the same process with a watery conditioner in an applicator bottle.

Pro Tip: Never squeeze thick creams, oils, or heavy leave-in conditioners down the length of the yarn. This creates impossible-to-remove buildup and will turn your locs into magnets for lint and static.

Apply a lightweight leave-in spray solely to your roots and natural new growth. Avoid squeezing thick conditioners or oils down the length of the yarn, as it will cause severe product buildup and attract lint.

Dry your hair super-thoroughly

The 12-Hour Rule: Air drying is strictly prohibited for yarn dreads. You must use a microfiber towel to absorb excess water and sit under a hooded dryer until the locs are bone dry. If they stay damp past the 12-hour mark, you risk severe mildew development.

Use silk to wrap at night

You don’t want your locs to get frizzy and beady, so don’t sleep directly on a cotton pillowcase. Use a high bun with a silk scarf around the perimeter. Or you can sleep in a silk bonnet or on a silk pillowcase. However you do it, think silk. This material allows your hair and scalp to breathe while protecting them from frizz.

Best Ways to Wear Yarn Dreads

1. Layered Rainbow Bob

If you love a lot of color in your life, you’ll want to try rainbow yarn dreads. A short hairstyle is easy to maintain, stays off the shoulders, and can easily be given shape with different lengths of dreads.

2. Brown Dreads with Hair Cuffs

Even if you want a neutral-colored hairstyle, like brown or black, you can easily add a few shiny details with hair cuffs and beads. These long yarn dreads are bedazzled with a few well-placed cuffs and large beads.

3. Thick Black Yarn Dreadlocks

Have you always wanted thicker hair? Choose thick yarn dreads to get a fuller-looking hairstyle. Lots of long black locs seen here make hair look voluminous and lush!

4. Bright Blue Locs

Against your medium to dark skin tone, these bright blue yarn dreads pop beautifully. We love the thicker size of the locs, which will also take less time to braid in than a bunch of thin locs.

5. Edgy Red Yarn Locs

For an edgier hairstyle, choose bright red yarn dreadlocks. Let your natural black hair color peek through by braiding in your extensions starting a couple inches out from the scalp. Then you can add gold or silver hair cuffs with charms for a little shine.

6. Fishtail Braided Dreads

This jumbo thick fishtail braid looks amazing thanks to lots of thick yarn dreads. Set your hairstyle apart by weaving in a few colorful dread extensions, like pink or purple.

7. Curly Dreadlocks

These gorgeous curly yarn locs look so natural, no one will ever guess they’re extensions! This look is ideal for Black women who want a little ‘texture’ to their hairstyle. We recommend trying them in an edgy silver color.

8. Genie Loc Updo

Genie locs (another name for yarn dreads) can be gorgeous piled high in a twisted bun. These thick beauties feature a light ashy blonde color that is gorgeous against dark skin.

9. Thick Yarn Dread Bun

Here’s a great way to rock your two most favorite colors: wear one shade in locs at the bottom half of your hair, and the other color in thick dreads piled into a chic jumbo dreadlock bun.

10. Faux Hawk 

How stunning is this edgy faux hawk for women? The yarn dreads are thick, feature a dramatic dark color against bright electric red, and are gathered together with majestic purple ribbon. Choose a high or medium fade to define this look.

11. Dark Orange Yarn Dreads

You don’t need to choose a bright color to make sure your dreadlocks are noticed. This muted orange is a unique color and pops nicely with gold hair cuffs and black burnt ends. The shade is also quite lovely on Black women with their dark skin tone.

12. Mystical Yarn Locks

As a wig or braided extensions, you can create any look you want with yarn dreads. Create a mystical feel with darker colors and textured locs. This style features flattering face-framing pieces.

13. Long Red and White Locs

For a goth or rocker hairstyle, make sure your locs make a statement by choosing harsh colors and pairing them with lighter tones. For example, these long bright red yarn dreads are balanced out nicely with white dreads.

14. Mini Dreads 

For Caucasian women who want to try out yarn dread extensions without fully committing, start with tiny thin ones at about halfway down your hair. They’re easily braided in, offering a cute pop of color.

15. Pastel Yarns

Soft pink and mint green are a stunning statement as yarn dreadlocks on Black women. The contrast of dark skin tone with the light shades is practically hypnotizing.

Yarn Dread Locs Gallery

Make Your Own Yarn Dread Wig

If you’re a little intimidated by the process of tying yarn into your hair, you could make a loc wig. It’s actually simpler than wrapping the yarn onto sections of hair. For a loc wig, you’ll need loose wool instead of acrylic or wool yarn. Here’s how to make one:

A note on color

Hair dye can’t be used on wool to change the color without engaging in a long, drawn-out process. So if you want to color, it’s best to buy the loose wool pre-colored. Ask if they use natural dyes so that it doesn’t become irritating.

Making the dreads

Dip the wool in hot water and, when cool enough, roll the length of wool between your hands to make a dreadlock. The dreads will come together naturally. As you work, try to keep the size of the locs consistent in size and length. Lay them out on towels and allow them to dry thoroughly. You can use a blow dryer intermittently to help things along.

Tie them to a cap

Once dry, you’ll need to secure the dreads onto a close-fitting knitted cap of the same color as the dreads. Create a part first then work around it, tying the dreads onto the cap. As you go along, use a needle and sturdy thread to securely sew the dreads to the cap. Avoid burning them on the inside of the cap, as melted hard plastic will painfully scratch your scalp.

Fit your dread cap

The fitting is to make sure that you have enough dreads per square inch on the cap so that your wig doesn’t have large gaps.

Style your dread wig

You can style your wig as you like, but you might find it useful to create updos to hide small gaps. Then you can have a few dreads hanging free in the back of your style.

Watch the Following DIY tutorial to learn how to make a Frozen yarn wig.

Can Yarn Locs Cause Hair Loss?

If yarn locs are worn for more than two months, or if they are worn regularly and not just as a style switch, they can cause hair loss. This is because they are installed tightly. When they are made too loose, the style loses some of its beauty. Because of this, a dread wig might be preferable as it doesn’t endanger the hair.

Even if they are not installed tightly, the extra weight of the locs on your scalp can cause your hair to fall out. A constant pull on the hair follicles can cause them to cease producing hair. Continuous tension from heavy hair extensions is a leading cause of traction alopecia, a condition that permanently damages hair follicles and causes visibly widening part lines.

FAQs

Let’s go over the most commonly asked questions about yarn dreads.

You can wear various styles with this chosen style, whether you decide to pin it up, wear it in a side ponytail, or rock a freestyle hairdo. Remember to preserve your dreads by sleeping in a bonnet each night.