Human Hair Crochet Tutorial: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

If you’ve been curious about trying human hair crochet, you’re in the right place! In this blog post, I’m sharing my experience with Ywigs’ human hair crochet, specifically their 16-inch water wave style. Whether you're new to crochet or just looking for a fresh look, this tutorial will guide you through everything you need to know, from installation to care

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Why Choose Human Hair Crochet?

Crochet hairstyles are great for anyone looking for a low-maintenance, versatile style, and human hair crochet takes it a step further. With human hair, you get a more natural look and feel, plus the ability to comb through and style the hair just like your own. It’s also way more durable than synthetic hair, meaning you won’t deal with frizz or tangling after a few weeks.

What You’ll Need

Before diving in, here’s what you’ll need to get started:

• Human hair crochet bundles (I used Ywigs’ 16-inch water wave in a natural color)

• Crochet needle (included in the kit)

• Edge brush (for styling your edges)

• Crocodile hair clips (for holding hair sections)

• Clarifying shampoo (for prepping the hair)

• Comb (for fluffing up the curls)

The Ywigs kit comes with everything you need to get started—except, in my case, the comb came broken, which was a little frustrating but not a deal-breaker.

Step 1: Preparing the Hair

It’s important to wash your crochet hair before installation to remove any dirt or residue from shipping. I used clarifying shampoo to ensure the hair is fresh and bouncy. Make sure to gently handle the hair when washing it, especially at the base, to avoid putting too much pressure on the threads.

Once washed, I let the hair air-dry, which really helped the curls bounce back. The water wave pattern turned out to be very pretty—bouncy, soft, and defined.

Step 2: Braiding Your Hair

This part is crucial for a clean, natural look. For my braids, I opted for large, curved braids instead of straight-back ones. Curved braids help the crochet hair blend more naturally and avoid that bulky, "too perfect" look.

I used a shea butter mixture to add extra hold to my braids. This keeps everything in place while you work.

Pro tip: When braiding, don’t worry too much about perfection—no one will see your braids under the crochet hair! Just make sure the braids are secure enough to hold the crochet extensions.

Step 3: Installing the Crochet Hair

Now for the fun part! I used 4 bundles of Ywigs' human hair crochet (from 2.5 packs). Here’s how you install the hair:

1. Separate the strands: Each bundle comes with about 50 pieces. Make sure to separate the pieces carefully to avoid tangling.

2. Crochet the hair: I used a medium crochet needle to loop the hair through my braids. When you pull the thread through, ensure it’s centered to keep the hair looking even on both sides.

3. Add more hair for fullness: After the first bundle, I felt like I needed a little more fullness, so I added a bit more from the remaining packs. You can always adjust the volume based on your preferences.

By the time I finished the installation, it had taken me about 3 hours in total—1 hour for the braids and 2 hours for the crochet hair. For a full head, 2 packs should be enough, but I liked the extra volume from the additional half pack.

Step 4: Shaping and Styling

Once the crochet hair is installed, you’ll want to shape it to your liking. Since the hair is already bouncy and voluminous, I didn’t need to do much cutting. I just trimmed the straggly ends and added some light shaping to the front. If you prefer a fluffier look, you can comb through the hair—something that’s much easier with human hair compared to synthetic options.

The great thing about human hair is that you can style it with ease. I loved how soft and natural it felt as I combed through it.

Step 5: Maintenance & Removal

One of the main reasons I’m a fan of human hair crochet is its longevity. After a few weeks, the hair only gets better as it blends with your natural texture. You can easily detangle it with a wide-tooth comb, and unlike synthetic hair, it won’t start shedding or matting.

When it comes time to remove the crochet, I plan to save the hair for future use. This is a huge benefit, as synthetic hair often needs to be thrown out after use. I’ll document my method for uninstalling the crochet without cutting through the knots and share that with you in a future video.

Conclusion

Overall, I’m extremely happy with my human hair crochet install. It was a quick process, taking about 3 hours total, and the results were exactly what I wanted: soft, bouncy curls that feel like my natural hair. The water wave pattern is gorgeous, and I love that I can comb through it easily without worrying about tangles or shedding.

If you’re considering trying human hair crochet, I highly recommend giving it a go. The installation process is manageable, the hair quality is top-notch, and the final look is incredibly natural. You can also feel good knowing that you can reuse the hair, making it a great investment for your next protective style.

Where to Buy

If you're interested in getting your own Ywigs human hair crochet, I’ve linked the details here: Buy link. Make sure to order ahead, as processing can take a few days, especially if there’s high demand.

Have you tried human hair crochet before? Would you be willing to try it? Let me know in the comments below!