Braided doll hair

This is one of the simplest ways of adding hair to a doll, and the braids are optional. You can have pigtails or let the hair hang loose too.

Yarn

I like to make my toys with 100% cotton yarn, but for the hair, I prefer wool or synthetic yarn as that looks more realistic. I also use a thicker yarn (needle size 4-5). However, you can make this hair with basically all types of yarn. The only difference is how many strands you'll need, but the method is the same.

Description

To make this style of hair, you start by measuring out the length of the hair. Each strand of hair will go up one side of the head and down the other, meaning that the piece of yarn needs to be twice the desired length of hair. It's also better to make the hair a little too long, as you can cut it shorter once you're done.

Cut a few pieces of yarn before you begin, but you don't need to predict the exact number. You can cut more as needed. I use sewing thread to secure the hair, but if you don't have any, you can use the same yarn (however, if you have a very thick yarn, it may look better to divide the yarn and only use half the thickness to sew with).

Find where you want the hairline in the forehead, this will be your starting point. Secure the thread in the middle of the hairline, or where you want the hair to part. Now it's time to start adding the hair.

To attach the hair, use a back stitch to hold down one or two strands of hair at a time (about 1 stitch per round). Pick up the needle 1 round further back then you want the piece of hair to be, place the hair, sew a stitch around it and pick up the needle 1 round further back than you want the next strand of hair. Keep going like this a bit more the half way to the lower hairline.

How much hair you'll need to add will depend on the yarn you use. Fewer for thicker yarn, more for thinner. To know how many strands you'll need, gather the hair into about pigtails. If you can cover the entire side of the head and hide that the hairline is shorter, you have enough yarn. If there are gaps, add more strands of hair.

Once you can cover the entire sides of the head, you can stop adding hair. Now you will need to attach the hair to the lower hairline too, or else the doll will be very bald. You want the hair to frame the face, so the lower hairline will be shorter and the strands of hair/pieces of yarn will overlap.

Use the same method of sewing to attach the lower hairline, but be more generous with how much yarn you attach with each stitch.

And you're done! Just style the hair as you like.

Except the hair may be a bit uneven. You can cut it straight while hanging down, or if you're going to braid the hair, you can cut it straight after braiding.