Finally stopped lurking- here are my dreads!

Hey guys, asked ages ago for advice before I got my dreads and it was really helpeful. I've been a bit of a lurker here and soaking up info, but I'm going to come out of hiding and contribute here more

Thought I'd show my progress. Tell me what you think!

Before and after the initial dreading session (pretty grim pics hah):





More recent ones to come!

 

Hey man, good to see you come out from hiding

I love how much they shrunk after the original session, how long is it since you got your babies?

 

Month and a half, kinda messy:


3 months:



Synth-ing live:


3 months! I lost a huuuge amount of length, especially the hair around my face. They were originally made with a crotchet hook but I've tried to avoid too much washing and maintaining so they just mature on their own. Lots of frizzies at the moment! I realize crotchet dreads may not be to everyone's taste, but I'm training as an architect, so looking as tidy as possible was a big priority.

Scalp is itchy. Am using the dread fusion soap, deadhead shampoo or cheap tesco coconut stuff, whatever takes the fancy. Still some dandruff, which is driving me crazy. I love them all the same though, can't wait until they get longer!

 

I think they look pretty good if you like neat looking dreads. I've lost so much length around my face too kind of annoying as they whish beside your eyeball. maybe quit using shampoo? it could help with the itchies and there is tonnes of stuff in the sticky's to help with dandruff. I had a lil bit of eet around the start but it's settled now. I mean gone. not settled on my scalp-bleaugh. also, some of it may just be hair folicles(?) which at times me and other peoples have mistaken for teh druff. welcome!!

 

They look really good!

 

I think they look really nice in the more recent messy pictures!!

 

they look so quiet.

 

Nice drewads... I like the clean comparison that you get from the first four pics. You'll probably loose a little more length before you start to see growth. Peace

 

Welcome fellow Mancunian. Nice dreads.

 

I'm surprised they haven't snapped off yet, maybe it'll happen in a few months time

Not really a fan of the texture of crochet locks, other than that they look fine. As long as you're happy with them that's all that matters. Are you continuing to crochet them?

 

Thanks for the comments!
I don't know what 'quiet' means, but if that refers to them being more sedated and tidy than usual, then I'm happy.
Merrivale, I did a lot of crotchet work initially as they were falling apart from washing etc. Now that they're getting tighter and more mature I don't feel the need to do it anymore. The guy who did mine has crotcheted his dreads for 13 years and they're really amazing. I like the more wild natural dreads, but its not a look that I want. Tidy for me!

 

I would agree with that. I would like mine to be more tidy but my hair just isn't having it. crocheted dreads texture look a bit funny at first (But I suppose so do all dreads) I think but after a while they look good! Well done i'm impressed

 

I really liked your long hair.. but they look good now..

though I'm biased.. I like gingers ^_^

 

They look good man

 

Ahoy ... That's it Bro, walk your own path. You might find that using a combination of different methods for having 'neat' locks works for you ... the trick is to establish the correct ways to the different methods. This whole ‘which method / approach is best’ debate will go on forever, there is always going to be evidence in favour and against any method / approach.

Umm … Something for anyone that is considering the crochet hook approach, on an ongoing basis, to think about though.

This Sister has had her locks for 3 years (at the time of the video). Her locks were crochet'd and all maintenance is done with a crochet hook. Check out this vid:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7sRsSIqMEQ&feature=related

Her locks look really neat … like something out of a cartoon

OK, now check this out, the same Sister’s locks before the real maintenance mission:

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

Check how her 3 year locks are no where near being mature … this is the problem of the ongoing crochet hook approach, it’s a never ending drama of ongoing maintenance sessions. Now this is her choice, it’s what she digs, which is apparent in various videos, but for her it’s more of a hairstyle, than a lifestyle … I really don’t mean that in an ugly way.

This Sister cruises down to the her favourite ‘Dread Salon’ when it’s time for maintenance, grabs a magazine, something to drink, sits down, and the ‘lock-smith’ gets to work … you can watch the 4 part vid on her husbands profile. Then she cruises off with no loose hairs and ultra-neat locks

Hmmm ... crochet hooks ...

 

Ahoy ... Umm, check out those vids in my previous post.

 

Kewl hair.

And thanks for those vids, Don

 

I think they look pretty cool a little too maintained for my tastes but i think they look good on you like that

 

you have some beautiful dreads man. Well done. Looks like you've done a lot of work. Mine shrank too - from shoulder link to above my chin... : ) Keep us updated with photos : )

 

It's great that you know what you need your dreads to do in order to work for you. You look terrific and so do your dreads. I've never used the crochet method, but my hair definitely does not have the "neat" look your does. Some dreads are long, some, for whatever reason, are short. I think it is important for us to be realistic and honest with ourselves about what kind of hair we can go through our daily lives with.