A round braid is a type of braid.Out of string, yarn, twine, cord, leather and more.Four or eight strands are most common in this braid.Pick the number of strands and the colors you want to use, then braid on your own.
Step 1: You can choose the colors for your braid.
Pick out the colors that will appear in your braid.Depending on the type of braid you do, choose between just one or two or as many as four or eight different colors.If you want, you can use up to four different colors for each strand of the braid.One or two colors are used to create patterns for an 8- strand braid, but you can use as many as eight different colors for each strand.
Step 2: At the end, tie the strands together.
At one end, tie the pieces of material you will use for your braid.Tie all four pieces around themselves with an overhand knot.You can tie together the loops of the folded pieces if you fold over one longer piece.When you plan out what colors you will use, remember that this will create two strands of the same color.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.
Step 3: Put something over the end of your material.
Attach the end of your strands to an object that will keep them in place while you pull and tighten them to make the braid.Whatever method works for you, tape the end to a work surface, loop it over a hook, or pin it to your pant leg.If you prefer to work on a flat surface, taping the end down to a table or other horizontal surface will help keep your strands in order.If you prefer to keep tension on the strands and hold onto them and manipulate them with your fingers the whole time, opt for suspending the end from a hook.
Step 4: You can arrange your colors for the braid pattern.
Once your colors are braided, arrange the strands according to how you want them to appear.Depending on the order in which the colored strands are placed, a spiral or diamond can be created.The pattern will look like a spiral if you start with two strands of the same color in the middle.If you are holding onto the strands to braid, you can hold one strand in each hand.For a pattern that will look like diamond shapes or a square with four colored sides, begin with two strands of the same color on the left and right.If you are holding onto the strands the whole time, hold one color in one hand and one in the other.
Step 5: You can arrange your colors for the braid pattern.
Once included in an 8- strand braid, decide on how you want your colors to look.If you want a large, small, or stripe pattern for your braid, arrange the strands according to that.Place two strands of each color on the left and right side of the braid for a two-color wide chevron pattern.There should be four strands of the same color next to each other.If you want a two-color narrow chevron pattern that appears on all four sides of the braid, you need to arrange the strands in a way that makes sense.Place all four strands of one color on the left or right side of the braid.
Step 6: Under the two middle strands, move the rightmost strand.
Hold your strands in your hands and separate them from each other.Under the two strands in the middle, use the strand on the far right.You can label the strands from left to right as A, B, C, and D if it helps you.If you want the order to be A, D, B, C, you must bring the D strand underneath C and B.
Step 7: Wrap that strand around the middle strands.
Under the two middle strands, take the rightmost strand.Wrap it around one of the middle strands and it will fall in between the two of them.The order from left to right would be A, B, D, C.Even though some of the strands have changed positions, make sure they stay the same.
Step 8: Under the two middle strands, bring the leftmost strand.
Bring the strand that is on the far left underneath the two middle strands.You took the first step with the strand on the right.After the first side was tightened, your lettered strands were left to right.The new order will be B, D, A, C.
Step 9: The strand should be between the two middle strands.
You brought under the two middle strands the far left strand.Wrap it around so it falls in between the strands.The new order from left to right will be B, A, D, C.You have completed this sequence on both the right and left sides.Even though they are in a different order, keep the strands separated the same way.
Step 10: Down the length of your material, repeat these steps.
Continue moving the right strand under the middle strands and then the left strand between them.Continue these motions until you reach your desired length or the end of your material.If you forget what side you left off 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.The strand is going to move next.If you are using long pieces of material for your braid, you should pause occasionally 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.
Step 11: Half of the strands should be separated to the right and left.
There is a space between the left and right strands on the table, and four of them to the right.If you choose to use that method for braiding, you can hold four strands in each hand.If you are going for a pattern, make sure you pay attention to where the colors are placed.If you want your braid to stay neat, you should place four strands to the right and left at the beginning.
Step 12: Bring the right strand under the other strands.
There is a strand on the far right of your strands.You can bring it under the strands that are extending to the right and left.If you want to keep track of the strands, you can use letters to label them."E, F, G, H, with the "."The space between the two strands should be indicated.The new order would be A, B, H, C.The strands should be arranged so that they extend out to the right and left.When you move the right strand in this step, there will be five strands on the left and only three onthe right.
Step 13: Over the last two strands, bring that strand back.
Take the strand you just moved and bring it back over the last two strands.The strand will be placed back over with the group of strands on the right.The H strand should be taken from its position between B and C at the end of the previous step.Next to E, wrap it over C and D.A, B, C, D are the new configurations.Pull the strands toward the end knot.Even though you have changed the positions of the strands, it is essential that you keep four strands on the right and left.
Step 14: Bring the leftmost strand under the other strands.
Pick up the strand on the far left of your strands and bring it under the other three strands, as well as two of the right strands.The same thing happened with the rightmost strand, this time on the left side.After the previous steps, the order was A, B, C, D.Bring the A strand under B, C, D, H, and E so that it rests between E and F.
Step 15: Bring that strand back over the last two strands.
Take the strand you moved from the left to the other strands.Wrap it back over the last two strands so that it can resume its place with the other three strands on the left.You can move the A strand between E and F with lettering.The order becomes B, C, D, A if you take it over E and H.You have completed the same thing on both sides if you tighten the strands up near the end knot.Even though they are in a different order, keep four strands on the right and left.
Step 16: For the rest of your material, repeat these steps.
Continue moving the rightmost strand under the next five strands and back over the last two to the left strand.Continue these motions until you reach your desired length or the end of your material.If you forget what side you left off, the strand to start with is the one that comes out of your braid.If you are using long pieces of material, pause to untangle your strands.If you want to keep the order of your strands, hold them down with your hand or another object while you untangle the ends.