This french braid cross is excellent on any hair, thin or thick, baby hair, and even quite short hair (above, I’ve done it on my two eldest daughters). Usually, if I want a hairdo that will last, two normal french braids is a good choice. But I started to get bored with just two normal french braids, and tried something a bit different… I found out that crossing them over not only looks fun, but also lasts longer and holds the hair better.

The girls had two evenings of performing in a gymnastics show. This was a really good hairdo as I had to leave them backstage, where they played, ran and jumped around until their part in the show, while I sat in the audience and wondered what their hair would be like by the time they get on stage. The hairdo was not only perfect for the first show, but also lasted until next evening’s show!

I haven’t found pictures or tutorials for this by anyone else, so I will show how I did it on my youngest girl:

Step 1: divide the hair into 4 parts.

Step 2: take the right front part and french braid it towards the middle of her head. When you’ve french braided the whole of front right part, do 3 stitches of normal braid (i.e. left to middle, right to middle, left to middle without adding any hair).

Step 3: let loose the back left part and french braid it.

Step 4: let loose the front left part and french braid it towards the middle of her head. When you’ve french braided the whole of front left part, do 3 stitches of normal braid.

Step 5: let loose the right back part and french braid it.

And if you are having trouble with basic french braids, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S8X3heXIO8 (Thanks Mindy from Cute Girls Hairstyles for making it simple!)