3 Ways of How To Feed In Cornrows – Beginner Friendly

How to feed in cornrow braids

This article shows 3 ways of how to feed in cornrows. The first one starts without any hair extension (weave) added in then feed in comes in after 1 or two stiches. This type of feed in gives a knotless look. The second feed in starts by wrapping a small section of hair with hair extension piece. This type gives a knot at the start. The third one is just the best for those who have short hair or broken hair at the edges. Please read to get the most out of this. Lets braid together! Remember to leave a comment below.

You could choose to watch video or read the article. The video gives better demonstrations while the article gives more detail that you may not find in the video. So you choose.

The Knotless Feed In Cornrows

Trendy cornrow braids
Credit: CutAfrik Afro. This photo is five day old cornrows and this is when I demonstrate how to to do the hairstyle

This type of feed in gives a knotless look because it starts without any hair extension (weave) added in. It also starts small and gradually gets larger since we keep adding small pieces of hair extensions (weave). Use this knotless feed in when you have long hair. Very short hair may not start a knotless cornrow since this feed in starts without any hair extension (weave) added in. Below are simple steps on how to achieve this look.

Split your hair extensions or weave into small equal pieces. Same size pieces will give you a more neat uniform gradual consistency when braiding. The only difference you could make here is have the first piece slightly smaller than the rest since the beginning hair usually starts thinner.

Split weave into smaller pieces
Credit: CutAfrik Afro

Now the size of the pieces of extension or weave you are to split depends on the density of your natural hair. Hair density refers to how many strands of hair grow per square inch of the scalp. Just having a general idea about whether your hair density is on the thin or thick side can help you determine the size of hair extension pieces you would go with. If you can see your scalp without moving your hair, your hair density is likely on the lower end. If you need to move your hair slightly to see your scalp, your density is probably somewhere in the middle. If it’s difficult to see your scalp, your hair density is likely high. I split my weave relatively small pieces because my natural hair is on the medium side. Using big pieces for thin hair will give your cornrows a crinkled or crimpy look (not uniform is what a mean).

After parting your line, grab a small section of your natural hair and split it into 3 smaller sections. Braid like a usual box braid about 1 to 2 stiches without any hair added. Then add a small section of your natural hair underneath your index/pointer finger.

Split a small section of your hair to start cornrow
Credit: CutAfrik Afro
Split hair into 3 small sections for cornrow
Credit: CutAfrik Afro
section of your natural underneath your index finger
Credit: CutAfrik Afro

Grab your extension (weave) and add it underneath your index finger (pointer) too. You do this by holding it in half, place the middle part underneath your index finger. The 2 sides of this piece will be in line with your two pieces of hair in your fingers. The one on the center and the other on one side (left or right side depending on where you started from). Braid and add your natural hair on the other side to make a stitch.

How to feed in cornrow braids
CutAfrik Afro
How to feed in cornrow braids
CutAfrik Afro

Keep adding extension pieces along with your natural hair after every one stitch until you are satisfied with the size you want then continue braiding to the end of your cornrow.

If want your cornrows to look tight and neat, then you have to grip right on the scalp. you have to keep your fingers touching the scalp and your cornrow will be firm.

How grip your cornrows
Credit: CutAfrik Afro

If you have anything that I have missed here please let us know in the comments section. Otherwise whalaaa! That it. Send us your finished look if you don’t mind.

knotless cornrow braids
Credit: CutAfrik Afro
How to feed in cornrows yourself
Credit: CutAfrik Afro

The Cornrow That Starts With A Knot

The only difference is at the start of the cornrow, otherwise the rest is the same as the knotless feed in. So how is it different? Lets see.

Cornrow Feed In. How To
Credit: CutAfrik Afro

Just like for the knotless cornrows split your hair extensions or weave into small equal pieces. Same size pieces will give you a more neat uniform gradual consistency when braiding. The only difference you could make here is have the first piece slightly smaller than the rest since the beginning hair usually starts thinner.

So you start by sectioning off a small piece of hair like in the picture below. Grab extension hair size equivalent to the size of hair you have sectioned and wrap it round that section, twisting once to get 2 legs and then your that your have wrapped becomes the third leg and start braiding as you add your natural hair.

How to start your feed in cornrows
Credit: CutAfrik Afro
How to start feed in cornrows
Wrapping section of hair. Credit: CutAfrik Afro
How to start feed in cornrows
Credit: CutAfrik Afro
How to start feed in cornrows
Credit: CutAfrik Afro

After braiding about 2 to 3 stiches, add your hair extension piece by holding one side of the extension hair with your pinky finger and take the other piece to the center underneath your index finger. Braid one stitch as you leave the one on your pinky finger out.

How to start feed in corn rows
Credit: CutAfrik Afro
How to start feed in corn rows
Credit: CutAfrik Afro
How to start feed in corn rows
Credit: CutAfrik Afro

After that one stitch add the other remaining piece from your pinky finger to the center underneath your index finger and braid another one stitch. That is the circle. You will keep adding hair extensions in the very same “circle” until you get the thickness you want then continue braiding. I that difficult?

How to feed in cornrows
Credit: CutAfrik Afro

NOTE:

I will be adding more content soon …

Great Feed In For Short Hair

This involves starting with the braiding hair or weave at the very start with your natural hair in three strands.

Split your hair extensions or weave into small equal pieces. Same size pieces will give you a more neat uniform gradual consistency when braiding.

Start with smaller braiding hair since the beginning hair usually starts thinner. I typically love using yarn threads as my first piece because of its texture which helps with grip since hair is short, and then I proceed feeding in with the other hair extension (weave)

Using the tail end of a rat tail comb, make a clear size section you are going for. A bit of edge control on your hair line will help you grip the hair easier, tame flyaways, and keep your cornrows neat. Pinch a tiny smaller section from your part section you want to start with.

Take 1 piece of hair extension and place it over another piece so they interlock into each other to form a loop. Make sure 1 piece has more hair than the other where the smaller section hangs over the bigger section. You now have 3 even sections of synthetic hair to start with.

How to feed in cornrows on short hair
Take 1 piece of hair extension and place it over another piece so they interlock into each other to form a loop. Credit: CutAfrik Afro

Holding the hair extension at the middle section with your thumb and pointer finger, place it over your natural hair at the the root of the small section you are starting your braids from. Line up the middle hair extension with that section of natural hair.

How to feed in cornrows on short hair
Holding the hair extension at the middle section with your thumb and pointer finger, place it over your natural hair at the the root of the small section. Credit: CutAfrik Afro

You have 3 strands, 2 strands on the outside and 1 strand in the middle lined with your natural hair. Remember your natural hair should fall underneath the synthetic hair in the middle section.

With your natural hair tightly integrated into the hair extension, begin your braid like a usual box braid, tight near the scalp so that it looks neat.

After braiding about 3 to 4 times proceed feeding in insert a piece of braiding hair (the center of the braiding hair) in between your thumb and index finger like illustrated in the picture below. One strand of braiding hair should combine with the outside strand of hair and then the other strand combine with the middle strand of hair as illustrated below and then braid one stich as you add your natural hair.

How to feed in cornrows on short hair
Insert a piece of braiding hair (the center of the braiding hair) in between your thumb and index finger. Credit: CutAfrik Afro.
How to Feed In Cornrow Braids
One strand of braiding hair should combine with the outside strand of hair and then the other strand combine with the middle strand of hair . Hair by CutAfrik Afro

After the one stich, add another braiding hair the same way and keep braiding. You may gradually increase the size of braiding hair as you go. When you reach the middle of your braiding, you may stop adding braiding hair until the ending of your cornrow. If you prefer longer braids, you may again start feeding in braiding hair at the end of your cornrow

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