There are many people who do not know how to braid hair. I was one of them. Growing up I could not manipulate the hair to achieve a braid no matter how hard I tried. The only thing I would achieve was a mess. Hair would be falling out of all the “braiding” I had done. Fast forward to today, I can achieve almost any braid, all learned in my 30's. I also know tricks to do with hair to make it look there is a braid in my hair.

If you can knot two strings you can create an illusion of a braid in your hair. A sliding knot, if done right can have a versatile look that can be worn many ways. A sliding knot can be made by taking two strands one strand stays straight while the other goes over the straight strand, around and comes back up through the loop made. Almost like the first step made when you tie your shoes. You must make sure that you are going over the first strand and then coming back up through the loop for this to work.

To get started part your hair in the style of your choice. Then, take a section of hair at the top of your part. Separate this into two strands. The strand that is next to your face will not move. Take the second strand goes over, around and come back up through the loop created and pull tight. Now these two strands are combined to make a single strand. Pick up some more hair to repeat the sliding knot sequence. Remember to combine the two strands after making the knot and then pick up more hair. This is repeated until you get to where you want to stop. This could be done on both sides, it could wrap from ear to ear around the back of the head or ear to ear around the front of the head. It could even travel from ear to ear over the top of the head to make the milkmaid braid. This can be done on either straight or textured hair.

The way that this “braid” becomes versatile is that you can flip the completed braid over and pin it. This will cause it to look like the loops are spiraling around a single strand. You will get compliments with this look.