Step 1: Divide Hair Into 3 Equal Sections

Divide your hair into three equal sections. Hold a section in each hand off to each side, and let one section hang in the middle. You should be able to tell by touch whether the sections are relatively equal sized.

Step 2: Grab the Two Outer Sections in One Hand

Grab both outer sections in one hand (your left), keeping them separated with your index finger (so they are still 2 sections and don't merge together). The center section is still hanging down.

Step 3: Grab the Center Section in Your Free Hand

Grab the hanging section in your free (right) hand. Pull it a bit to the right. Adjust your grip on this section so that your middle, ring, pinkie, and thumb are under the section, and your index finger is over it (see second photo).

Step 4: Cross the Right Outer Section Over the Center Section

Grab what is currently the center section with the thumb, ring, and pinky fingers of your right hand. Twist your right hand so that the section that is on the right crosses over the top of the center section.

Step 5: Grab the Center Section in Your Left Hand

Grab the center section with the index and middle finger of your left hand and pull it to the left, keeping it separate from the other section you're holding in your left hand by making sure your ring and pinkie fingers of your left hand stay between the two sections.

Step 6: Grab the Left Outer Section and Cross It Over the Center Section

Use your thumb and index finger of your right hand to grab the opposite outer section (the section farthest to the left) above your left hand. Pull this section out of your left hand and over to the right, so that it becomes the new center section. You should now have two sections in your right hand and one in your left.

Step 7: Cross the Right Outer Section Over the Center Section

Use the middle finger of your left hand to grab the right outer section. Pull it out of your right hand. It becomes the new center section. You should now have two sections in your left hand, separated from each other by your ring and pinkie fingers.

Step 8: Cross the Left Outer Section Over the Center Section

Use the index finger and thumb of your right hand to grab the left outer section out of your left hand. Pull it to the right so that it becomes the new center section. You should now have two sections in your right hand, separated from each other by your pinkie, ring, and middle fingers.

Step 9: Keep Crossing Alternate Outer Sections Over the Center Section Until You Run Out of Hair to Braid

Keep crossing alternating outer sections over the center section until you're done.

The basic idea of braiding:

1. Start with three sections
2. Cross the left section over the center section (so it goes between the center section and the right section).
3. Cross the right section over what is currently the center section (so it goes between the center section and the left section).
4. Cross the left section over what is currently the center section (so it goes between the center section and the right section).
5. Cross the right section over what is currently the center section (so it goes between the center section and the left section).
6. Repeat until you're done.

If you're not used to braiding at all, it might be good practice to take three ribbons of different colors, tie them all together at one end, and practice braiding that until you get the idea.

The trick with hair is keeping the sections separate from each other, and keeping an even, downward tension on each of the sections so that the braid hangs nice and straight and even behind your head.

Another trick is to angle two mirrors facing each other, positioning them so that you are able to see the back of your head by looking at the reflection of its reflection in the two mirrors.

Don't get discouraged if it's tricky at first- just keep practicing, and soon it will be super easy. Good luck!

Here is a book by Klutz with great instructions on how to do different fancy types of braiding.

Here is another book by Klutz with great instructions on how to do different types of braids for younger girls.

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