Crochet Hair Strands Pattern: Free Faux Loc Crochet Pattern

You will crochet a set of long, tapered hair strands that look and move like natural hair, then attach them to cornrows or a wig cap. It uses only chain and single crochet, so a confident beginner can finish one strand in about 10 minutes and a full head in roughly 4 hours.

Crochet Hair Extension Strands (Human-Hair Look Crochet Braids)

Free crochet pattern · US terms

Yarn: 5 – Bulky (chunky) — suggested
Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8) — verify with a swatch
Gauge: 12 sts x 14 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in single crochet, unblocked. Gauge mainly controls strand thickness, not fit, so close is fine. (calculated, not measured)
Size: approx. Each strand about 20 in (51 cm) long and 0.4 in (1 cm) wide; a full set of 60 strands covers an average head when installed in rows
Level: Confident beginner
Time: about 4 h (estimate)

Written and count-checked on paper, not yet physically tested. Make the gauge swatch and the checkpoint below before you commit all your yarn.

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This pattern makes individual crochet hair strands, also called crochet braids or faux locs, that you install over braided natural hair or a wig cap. Each strand is a long tapered chain-and-single-crochet cord with a small loop at the top for attaching and a fine tip at the bottom so the ends look natural.

You work each strand flat in rows, then join the strands in a single row across a foundation chain to build a weft-style strip if you prefer a sew-in. The look suits anyone who wants a protective style, a wig upgrade, or a low-commitment color change without a salon visit.

Before You Start

Time estimate: about 10 minutes per strand, roughly 4 hours for a full head of 60 strands.

Skill: chain and single crochet only; the shaping is simple decreasing at the tip.

Yarn amount: one 100 g skein of bulky acrylic makes about 30 strands at 20 in (51 cm) long.

Swatch first: make one full strand and check the length and thickness before you commit to a whole head.

Safety: This is a hair accessory, not a toy. Keep strands and loose tails away from babies and pets because they can wrap around fingers, toes, or necks. Acrylic yarn melts and can burn, so keep strands away from curling irons, straighteners, and open flames. Do not install strands tightly enough to pull the scalp, and remove the style if you feel numbness or soreness.

Materials

Suggested materials. Any yarn of the same weight works if you match the gauge.

2 skeins bulky acrylic yarn, 100 g each

Acrylic keeps its shape and holds a light curl better than cotton for hair strands. A soft bulky acrylic or a bulky acrylic blend both work; avoid scratchy wool near the scalp.

5.0 mm (H-8) hook

Matches bulky yarn for a firm, snag-resistant strand. If your yarn is thinner, drop to 4.5 mm (7) so the strand does not look stringy.

Wig cap or 2 packs of braiding hair for cornrows

The base you attach the strands to. A mesh wig cap works for a quick removable look; cornrows give a flatter, longer-wear install.

Tapestry needle, blunt tip

For weaving in the two yarn tails on each strand. A blunt tip will not split the bulky plies.

Wide-tooth comb and hair clips

Helps separate strands and hold sections while you attach them. Any claw clip or bobby pin works as a substitute.

Yarn needed (estimate): estimated about 200 yd (185 m) for 60 strands, roughly 2 skeins of 100 g

Gauge and Size

Gauge: 12 sts x 14 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in single crochet, unblocked. Gauge mainly controls strand thickness, not fit, so close is fine.. This gauge is calculated from the yarn and hook above, not measured on a finished sample. Make a 4 in (10 cm) swatch first; change the hook size, not your tension, until it matches.

Finished size (approximate): Each strand about 20 in (51 cm) long and 0.4 in (1 cm) wide; a full set of 60 strands covers an average head when installed in rows. Your size depends on your gauge.

Abbreviations (US terms)

Abbr.	Meaning
ch	chain
sc	single crochet
sc2tog	single crochet 2 stitches together (a decrease)
sl st	slip stitch
st/sts	stitch/stitches
FO	fasten off

Special Stitches

sc2tog (single crochet 2 together)

Insert the hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, insert the hook into the following stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, then yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on the hook. This turns 2 stitches into 1.

Loop start (for attaching)

Leave a 6 in (15 cm) tail at the beginning, then chain 4 and join with a sl st to the first chain to make a small ring. This ring is the attachment loop you will thread through the cornrow or wig cap.

How This Pattern Is Written

All instructions use US crochet terms.
Each strand is worked flat in rows, turning at the end of every row. The turning chain does not count as a stitch here, so always work into the first stitch of the row.
Right side: the smoother side with the V-shaped stitches faces out. Keep the same side facing you when you attach the strand so the texture stays even.
Strand count is a suggestion. Measure your own part lines and add or remove strands in multiples of 4 to fill the rows evenly.
The attachment loop is a closed ring. Check it is snug before you weave in the tail so it cannot slip off the braid.
This is a hair accessory, not a toy. Keep strands away from open flames and hot tools, and do not sleep in a tight install for more than a few nights.

Checkpoint after Row 4: The strand should measure about 1.5 in (4 cm) wide and 1.2 in (3 cm) tall, with 10 stitches on the hook. If it is wider than 1.6 in (4 cm), go down one hook size.

The Pattern

Single Hair Strand (make 60, or as many as you need)

Row 1: Leaving a 6 in (15 cm) tail, ch 4. Join with a sl st to the first ch to form a small ring. Ch 1, work 10 sc into the ring, working over the tail so it is caught inside. Turn.(10 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in the first st and in each st across. Turn.(10 sc)
Rows 3-38: Repeat Row 2 thirty-six times. The strand should now be about 20 in (51 cm) long. Do not fasten off.(10 sc)
Row 39: Ch 1, sc in the first st, sc2tog, sc in each of the next 4 sts, sc2tog, sc in the last st. Turn.(8 sc)
Row 40: Ch 1, sc in the first st, sc2tog, sc in each of the next 2 sts, sc2tog, sc in the last st. Turn.(6 sc)
Row 41: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in each of the next 2 sts, sc2tog. Turn.(4 sc)
Row 42: Ch 1, sc2tog twice. Turn.(2 sc)
Row 43: Ch 1, sc2tog. FO, leaving a 4 in (10 cm) tail.(1 sc)

Optional Joined Weft Strip (for a sew-in instead of single strands)

Row 1: Ch 121. Sc in the second ch from the hook and in each ch across. Turn.(120 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in the first st and in each st across. Turn.(120 sc)
Rows 3-4: Repeat Row 2 twice more. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.(120 sc)

Finishing and Assembly

1. Weave in the long starting tail of each strand, then use the 4 in (10 cm) tip tail to close the pointed end with two small stitches so it does not unravel.
2. Test one strand: thread the top loop onto a cornrow and tug gently. If the loop slides, tighten it with a sl st and re-weave the tail.
3. Part your hair into horizontal rows about 1 in (2.5 cm) apart and braid each row into a cornrow, or fit the wig cap snugly over your hair.
4. Attach strands in a zigzag pattern: thread the loop under a cornrow, pull the strand through the loop, and tighten. Space strands about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) apart.
5. Work from the back hairline upward so each row overlaps the row below. Fill the front hairline last with shorter strands if you want a natural edge.
6. Comb through with a wide-tooth comb and trim any uneven tips to one length. Do not brush the roots hard or the loops can loosen.

Sizes and Variations

Shorter bob

work Rows 3-22 only, then shape with Rows 39-43. Each strand finishes about 12 in (30 cm) long.

Thicker chunky locs

work 14 sc in Row 1 and repeat Row 2 for 30 rows. Strands are about 0.6 in (1.5 cm) wide and use more yarn per strand.

Two-tone color

work Rows 1-20 in color A, then change to color B for Rows 21-38. Carry the unused color up the side edge instead of cutting it.

Troubleshooting

What you see	Likely cause	Fix
The strand twists and curls back on itself.	Your stitches are too tight, which pulls the fabric into a spiral.	Go up one hook size or relax your tension, and gently steam the finished strand to relax the twist.
The pointed tip keeps unraveling.	The final tail was woven in too loosely or cut too short.	Thread the tip tail back through the last 4 stitches with a tapestry needle, then weave it down the side for 1 in (2.5 cm) before trimming.
Strands slide off the cornrow when you tug them.	The top loop is too large for the braid, or the loop was not tightened after threading.	Pull the loop smaller with a sl st, or thread the loop through the braid twice before pulling the strand through.
The finished install looks thin and shows the braids.	Too few strands or spacing wider than 0.5 in (1.3 cm).	Add a second pass of strands between the first ones, or work the thicker-loc variation so each strand covers more of the braid.
The strands feel scratchy against the scalp.	A rough wool or heavily textured yarn was used.	Switch to soft bulky acrylic or an acrylic blend, and keep the first row of strands slightly away from the part line.

Care

Remove the strands before washing your hair if possible. Hand wash strands in cool water with a drop of mild shampoo, squeeze gently without wringing, and lay flat to air dry away from direct heat. Do not put acrylic strands in a hot dryer, because heat can melt and permanently crimp the fiber.

Questions Makers Ask

How long do crochet hair strands last?

With gentle care, an install usually lasts two to four weeks before the loops loosen or the strands frizz. Take the style down sooner if you feel tension at the roots.

Designer’s note: Make one strand and wear it for an hour before you crochet sixty. Length and thickness are personal, and adjusting the row count now saves a full evening of rework later.

Next: Try a crochet wig cap or a simple beanie next to practice working in the round and shaping a fitted crown.