Double Strand or Three Strand Twists look very similar to two-strand twists. The only difference is, three strands of hair are used to create this style versus two.  Yeah I know, "isn't that a braid?"  Well it would be under any other circumstance but you'll have to broaden your mind to get this one down.

Double Strand or Three Strand Twists look very similar to two-strand twists. The only difference is, three strands of hair are used to create this style versus two.  Yeah I know, "isn't that a braid?"  Well it would be under any other circumstance but you'll have to broaden your mind to get this one down.

Today, I did a young lady's hair.  The last time I did double strand twists was approximately 6 months ago.  I was soooooooo out of practice.  Double strand twists are fairly easy to learn but it takes a while to get a good rhythm going...especially when you haven't attempted them in a while :-P

Believe it or not, I'm considering using double-strands as my preferred dreadlocks starter method on longer (3 or more inches) natural Black hair.  It's also a good technique to use for those women with relaxed hair who wish to have dreadlocks but are uncomfortable with the idea of going cold-turkey and removing all of their relaxed ends.  Double strands are a style within themselves and can therefore be worn for several months until the new-growth locks.  Once the new-growth locks OR your hair is at a length at which you're comfortable, you can remove the relaxed portion.

I will do my best to explain this style.  I'd meant to take photos of the young lady's hair but given it took me several hours to complete (she was initially supposed to get two-strands which would have taken A LOT less time), I didn't want to hold her hostage any longer. 

Tools Needed

• Wide tooth comb (for detangling hair)
• Rat tail comb (for parts or you can use your fingers)
• Duck-bill or U-prong metal clips (to secure the strands)
• Spritze bottle with warm water - optional (use to mist hair as it will probably dry out before you can complete your entire head).
• naani's naturals Sulfate-Free Moisturizing Shampoo & S-Factor Conditioner
• naani's naturals Design Creme (new formula) or No More Frizzies Alcohol Free Aloe Vera Jelly or Styling Gel
• naani's naturals Lock'd Down Dreadlocks Butter
  
• LOTS OF PATIENCE!  The more you do it, the easier/quicker it becomes.
  

Note:  naani's naturals products may be purchased online in the naani store.


Directions
In a separate container, mix 1 tablespoon of Design Creme/Gel/Jelly with 1 tablespoon of Lock'd Down Butter.  You may need more of this mixture depending on the length of your hair.  Mix equal ratios of the two products as needed.

Begin with freshly shampooed and conditioned hair.

Part a section of hair to be twisted using the rat-tail comb or your fingers.  Use the wide tooth comb to detangle or finger comb the parted section.  The size of the sections is up to you.  Larger sections will result in thicker, plumper double strands.  Smaller sections will result in skinnier double strands and you will have a fuller look when you have completed your entire head.

Mist the section with water.  Place a small amount of the naani product mix on the section to be twisted.

Divide the sectioned hair into three strands (as if you were going to braid the hair).

IMPORTANT:  The left strand leads!!!!  The strand that is on the left is the "cross-over" strand.  Which strand is on the left will alternate.  Meaning, throughout the process, each individual strand will invariably be the "left strand."


Image 1 (starting point):  Here are your three strands.  Black on the left, red in the middle, pink on the right.

Take the strand that's on the far left (black) and cross it OVER the other two strands (red-pink).  This means that the strand that was on the far left (black), is now on the far right...and the strand that was previously in the middle (red), is now on the far left.  Image 2 is the result.

Image 2:   Now take the strand that's currently on the far left (red) and cross it OVER the other two strands (pink-black).  This means that the strand that was on the far left (red), is now on the far right...and the strand that was previously in the middle (pink), is now on the far left.  Image 3 is the result.

Image 3:  Now take the strand that's currently on the far left (pink) and cross it OVER the other two strands (black-red).  This means that the strand that was on the far left (pink) is now on the far right...and the strand that was previously in the middle (black), is now on the far left.  Image 4 is the result.

Note, image 4 and image 1 are identical.  And thus, you start all over again.  Crossing whichever strand happens to be on the left OVER the other two.  You repeat this pattern until you reach the end of the section.

Secure the double strand approximately one inch from the root with a metal clip.  This will keep the strand steady as the hair dries.

Repeat on the next section.


Maintenance
What's great about two-strands and double-strands is that they can be shampooed whenever you feel like it.  Thus, the concept of not shampooing dreadlocks "until..." never comes into play.  If either style flattens while you sleep, just run your head under the shower head in the morning, shake and go. 

If you need a bit of sheen, try naani's naturals Spritz-It! Light Hair Oyl.

At night, cover with a satin cap or scarf.  Again, if they flatten, water will plump them right back up.  You will only need to use this "watering" method while your locks are still chewy and susceptible to flattening.  Once mature, do not randomly wet your locks as dreadlocks take longer to dry, longer drying time can result in the development of mildew and odor.

Unlike two-strands which will look fairly "loose," double strand twists are  far more solid.  The above picture shows two-strands used to achieve dreadlocks on natural Black hair (these two-strands are several months old - daezhavoo's locks are in the teenage stage in this particular photo).  Notice how much looser the two-strands are in comparison to the double-strand twists photos shown earlier in this article. Or better yet, take a gander at the picture below.  These are freshly done two-strands.  Where they're plump, you'll find that two-strands are far more chewy in comparison to double stands which have a more solid/rigid structure.


Maintaining New-Growth
Ok, here's where two-strands and double-strands differ when it comes to dreadlocks maintenance.  Palm-rolling (a method by which the new dreadlock/twists is placed between the palms of your hands and rolled/rubbed in one smooth direction) can not be done on two-strands UNTIL they are well into the teenage stage.  If you were to attempt to palm roll a new two-strand (baby dreadlocks stage), the twist would unravel.  Thus, maintaining two-strands in the early stages means twisting the new-growth portion ONLY.  The length of the two-strand is generally left alone.  As a result, two-strands will be far more frizzy during the teenage stage in comparison to other methods (palm-rolls, comb-coils, braids and double-strands). 

Due to the structure of double strands, they can be palm-rolled immediately.  Meaning, you can not only have control over the appearance of your new-growth, but over the entire twist as a whole.  So you'd maintain double stands as you would palm-rolls.

Shampooing Double-Strands
Again, the cool thing about choosing braids, two-strands and double strand twists as your dreadlocks method means you can shampoo your hair whenever you feel like without fear of unraveling.  Gently shampoo your hair using naani's naturals Sulfate Free Moisturizing Shampoo (dilute the shampoo - 2 parts shampoo, 1 part water).  Rinse thoroughly.

Towel dry hair.

Apply a small amount of the Design Creme and Lock'd Down mixture to a double strand twist from root to tip.

Place the twist between your palms.  Roll/rub the twist between your palms in on smooth motion. 

Secure with a metal clip. 

Repeat on the next double strand until you complete your entire head.

You will continue this maintenance procedure until...like forever.  Or at least as long as you have dreadlocks.

Photos courtesy of nappyme.wordpress.com, jahahair.com and daezhavoo.com