Given their softer and more flexible nature than other types of synthetic dreads, Semi Crocheted dreads are one of the more comfortable dreads to wear. Initially, after braiding them in, it is normal to feel some discomfort or scalp irritation as your scalp adjusts to the tight braids and added weight but for most people, this passes within a few days to a week. If braided in, they can be worn 1-3 months depending on how quickly your hair grows and you can continue with all your regular activities such as swimming, showering and sports etc.

1. Each dread needs to be installed in a section of hair which is about 2cm squared at the scalp. You may wish to pre plan the sections by tieing pro elastics around each bundle of hair. If you want less volume, you can make the sections bigger and if you want more volume and more dreads then make the sections a little smaller.

2. Now take a section of hair and push it through the loop at the top of the extension. The Latch Hook makes pushing the section of your own hair through the loop easy. Push the extension right up to your scalp.

3. Split the bundle of your own hair in two so that along with the extension, you will have three pieces to braid or plait. Avoid conditioning your hair just before installing as it will make your hair soft and slippery and difficult to make the braid tight. You may also want to consider applying a small amount of Dread Dust to the section of your own hair as this will texturize the hair and give you something to grip on to.

4. Braid the extension together with your own hair as far down as you can and secure it with thread or elastic. Our Nylon Dreadlock Extensions Thread offers the most descreet, long lasting and neatest finish. Wrap the thread around the end of the braid and tie off with a knot then contine to wrap the thread over the ends of your hair and finish with another double knot. It's fiddly work so using a hair clip to old the braid whilst you tie the knot is a good idea.

Our Heavy Duty Pro Elastic is another quick and easy way to tie of the braid. They are small and slimline and whilst durable, we recommend double banding (using two bands) on every braid.

The video below demonstrates a braid known as a Blanket Stitch:

1. Each dread needs to be installed in a section of hair which is about 2cm squared at the scalp. You may wish to pre plan the sections by tieing pro elastics around each bundle of hair. If you want less volume, you can make the sections bigger and vice versa, if you want more volume and more dreads then make the sections a little smaller. 2. Now take a section of hair and one extension. Split your hair in half so you have two bundles. Lay the extension in between the two bundles and make sure the half way point of the extension is at the top of the section. 3. Since you have split the bundle of your own hair in half, along with the extension you will now have 3 peices that can be braided together. Braid down as far as you can and secure with a rubber band and thread. Our Heavy Duty Pro Elastics are the perfect band to secure the braid in place as they are strong and durable yet still tiny. Making the plait nice and tight will avoid the extension slipping down. It is easier to plait tightly when your hair has not been recently conditioned. If your hair is particularly soft and silky, you may also consider applying a small amount of Dread Dust to each section of hair before plaiting. The Dread Dust will texturise the hair so you can grip it better.

Semi Crocheted dreadlocks can be used to lengthen existing dreads and although the outer layer of the dreadlock is crocheted, the twist is still evident and therefore, the extension may appear different to your own dreadlocks. The ultimate dreadlock type for extending existing dreads is either crocheted Human Hair or 100% Crocheted Synthetic dreads since they require very little maintenance and appear identical to your own dreads. With that said though, if you don’t mind the minor visual difference and you’re prepared for occasional maintenance, they are still a good option.The Crocheted Twist dreadlocks can be attached to your existing dreadlocks following the below steps. 1. If you are using the single ended extensions start by cutting the loop off or if using double ended extensions, cut the extension in half. If the ends of your own dreadlocks are undreaded and wispy, tease the hair with your fingers and fan out the hair and nestle the top of the extension into the fanned out section. If the ends of your own dreads were blunt, then attentively, you could fan out the top of the extension and nestle the end of your own dread into the fanned out section of the extension. 2. Push the fanned out section of hair over the extension to create and join and use a crochet hook to pull the loose hairs in. Repeat this until your own dread has merged with the extension. A 0.6mm or 0.75mm Crochet Hook is the perfect size for this work and is available here.

After some wear, it is normal for the extensions to loosen and perhaps become a bit untidy. Maintain them by using a crochet hook to pull any loose hairs back into the dread. They can also be re heat sealed by twisting the extension in the same direction and holding both ends taught. Then place a damp cloth over the extension and run a hair straightener down the length of the extension. Be careful not to apply direct heat to the extension otherwise it will melt.

Semi Crocheted Dreadlocks can be made shorter by cutting them to length. Please be aware that the ends may become looser and require more frequent maintenance and it will shortening them will also create a blunter end rather than thin wispy ends - this becomes more so the case the shorter they are cut. As demonstrated in the video, cut the dreadlock to the desired length and then tease the ends of the hair by pulling the hair down a little to form a new end. An additional trim may be necessary to remove any extra long, loose hair.