Cobra braids/"Dutch" braids - question

[endlessclimb]

I’m a relatively skilled braider, but there is something about these braids that’s stumping me. The colored portion is where the question is. Picture is of the type of braid I’m aiming for.

I stitch my braids in with yarn and a needle. It goes as follows:

-Braid straight up for 4 loose crossovers, trying to get that “hood”.
-Start braiding down, work the yarn in when approximately 4-6 cross overs from the bottom.
-Overhand knot the bottom of the braid.
-Pull yarn through the top of the braid.
-Split yarn, tie single square knot (don’t know if that’s the right name of knot?) underneath the braid.
-Roll tightly.
-Stitch in.
-Knot off to finish.

Ok, so here’s the question. Even though I braided loosely and straight up for the first portion, the red portion seems to “squish” the hood I’m trying to get. What am I doing wrong? Am I pulling the yarn too tight before tying? Should I be using a different method?

Thanks anyone and everyone for your help, I appreciate it!

[endlessclimb]

And this picture is of braids I did - showing how the hood is non-existent.

[MissAriel]

First, there is nothing wrong with your braids - they are neat and tidy and even. Nice job!

But if you want the hooded look, I think you need to start by making fewer braids. The wider distance between braids is where you get your hood, but also means fewer braids.

[ThreeFigs]

Miss Ariel’s right. That’s why I like cobra braids – less braiding! Longer hair works better, too, IMO. If the hair is short as in traditional Hunter style braids, you’ll have a heckuva time doing the Cobra.

[mmeqcenter]

The Youtube tutorials I’ve seen instruct you to do 7 or 9 braids total, and to hold the hair straight up while you are braiding it.

Ex
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBNUDk228TI

[joiedevie99]

Ditto on the less braids - mine vary from 6 to 9 total based on length of neck. When you go from braiding upwards, to braiding down, use the bent knuckles of your pointer finger to press upwards underneath the braid - essentially keeping the hood coming up while you start to braid down.

[Absolut_Equestrian]

[QUOTE=endlessclimb;n10220806

-Split yarn, tie single square knot (don’t know if that’s the right name of knot?) underneath the braid.
-Roll tightly.
-Stitch in.
-Knot off to finish.
[/QUOTE]

Yep, the red part is indeed where it’s going wrong! By taking the thread around each side to knot it underneath, you make the braid into a ball instead of a hood. I sew in as shown in this video:

https://youtu.be/JOyJ32Bb9Do

[MissAriel]

Another good video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBNUDk228TI

[Lusoluv]

This is the video I watched to do braids on my ISH mare: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTNdWhgdIIY

I need 1 rubber band to braid and 1 bobby pin to roll up and secure the braid. No sewing needed. I practiced this once before a show and I’m not an experienced braider! Got tons of compliments and tho I had very little practice, it took me 30 minutes (and I’m SLOW) to do a job that looked really professional…if I do say so myself

[netg]

Agreed with all the above. You don’t pull it up and sew it in THEN roll. You secure the end, then roll it up and sew the rolled part - never wrapping around what you want to be the cobra head.

And more braids help.

[soloudinhere]

Cobra braid are not “pulled through” the way that button braids are.

1. Braid straight up firmly for about 1/3 of the length, then braid down using your knuckle to hold up the hood.

2. Braid all the way to end and secure with elastic.

3. Fold braid in half with tail underneath, then roll up the doubles braid until it is TIGHT to the neck.

4. Either sew in (my preference) or secure with elastic.

the Olivia Towers YouTube channel has an excellent tutorial on the 1-elastic method for dressage braids.

also you need 1/2 as many as you have there. More hair makes it easier.

[BigMama1]

Agree with what everyone has said about fewer, wider braids (I use a comb as my template to keep them all the same width apart), and also not pulling the braid through. Also recommend trying the Quick Knot puns if you are braiding the day of the show. They are way quicker than sewing in and make a nice neat braid in front of the cobra “hood.” Don’t recommend them for overnight though.

[Dutchmare433]

You can do fewer braids, but I braid for some people who still want a lot and it still works. Instead of the red part, you just braid down and then start sewing in…so if you tie off the braid, put yarn through needle, then just push needle through (almost like you would do with a pull through)…then fold/ball up as you normally would and sew back and forth a few times…I can send you a picture of the braids I do, as I’m aware I’m doing a terrible job explaining!

[endlessclimb]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and tutorial videos - I think I understand what I have to do now! Now, to find time to practice…

Thanks again!

[endlessclimb]

@Lusoluv

This is the video I watched to do braids on my ISH mare: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTNdWhgdIIY

I need 1 rubber band to braid and 1 bobby pin to roll up and secure the braid. No sewing needed. I practiced this once before a show and I’m not an experienced braider! Got tons of compliments and tho I had very little practice, it took me 30 minutes (and I’m SLOW) to do a job that looked really professional…if I do say so myself

This type of securing is VERY tempting for me, because seam-ripping out braids is not something I enjoy after a long show day. I’ll have to practice this and see if it works on the mare!

[soloudinhere]

@endlessclimb

This type of securing is VERY tempting for me, because seam-ripping out braids is not something I enjoy after a long show day. I’ll have to practice this and see if it works on the mare!

I tried this but I don’t like how the long end of the pin flattens the hood of the braid. It’s very obvious and visible. This is where quick knot wins, I guess.

[mmeqcenter]

@soloudinhere

I tried this but I don’t like how the long end of the pin flattens the hood of the braid. It’s very obvious and visible. This is where quick knot wins, I guess.

Agreed, I really don’t like the bobby pins sticking out as shown in the video.

[endlessclimb]

@mmeqcenter

Agreed, I really don’t like the bobby pins sticking out as shown in the video.

Could you put the bobby pin in the other direction, and then fold it under/around the button end of the braid?

[mmeqcenter]

@endlessclimb

Could you put the bobby pin in the other direction, and then fold it under/around the button end of the braid?

IDK, I’ve never done it, I said from what I saw in the video. Try @soloudinhere , they stated they tried it.

[soloudinhere]

@mmeqcenter

IDK, I’ve never done it, I said from what I saw in the video. Try @soloudinhere , they stated they tried it.

You’d need a shorter hairpin, which are harder to find and very hard to find in colors. I have a pinto whose mane is mostly white and gave up, sewing braids in is just faster for me.