Hey makers!
One of my favorite ways to give a Little Dude extra personality is by braiding their hair. It’s simple, it looks great, and it opens up a lot of fun style options — neat, messy, long, short, adventurer vibes, elegant vibes, whatever you like.
If you’ve never braided doll hair before, don’t worry. This guide walks you through the entire process, from prepping the strands to finishing the look.
What you'll need
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Your finished Little Dude with hair already attached
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A way to hold the braid together; a hair tie, small rubber band like one for braces, or a bit of string or ribbon
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Your fingers — that’s it
Step-by-step
Step 1 — Smooth the Hair
Gently separate the strands with your fingers so they’re not tangled.
Keep everything facing downward in the same direction.
Step 2 — Divide the Hair Into Three Sections
Pick the area you want to braid (top, side, back, etc.).
Separate it into three equal sections. Try to make them the same thickness so the braid looks even.
Step 3 — Cross Left Over Middle
Take the left section and cross it over the middle section.
Now the left piece has become the middle piece.
Step 4 — Cross other side Over Middle
Take the right section and cross it over the middle section.
Now the right piece becomes the middle.
Step 5 — Repeat the Pattern
Continue the sequence:
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Left over middle
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Right over middle
Keep going until you reach the end of the hair.
Important: Don’t pull too tight or it will cinch the yarn and make the braid look stiff. Gentle tension works best.
Step 6 — Secure the End
Just like you have to put your hair in a tie, your dude needs one too. A hair tie, a rubber band, a bit of string, how ever you want to lock it in place.
Step 7 — Adjust and Shape
Gently tug the sides of the braid to loosen it if you want a softer style.
Neaten the top so it blends with the rest of the hair.
And that’s it — your Little Dude now has a neat, stylish braid.
Extra Ideas
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Do two side braids for a cute or mischievous look.
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Add a tiny bead at the end for a fun flashy look.
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Try a fishtail braid or rope twist if you want something more advanced later.
Wrap-Up
Braiding is a simple way to transform a Little Dude’s whole vibe. Once you get the hang of it, you can experiment with all sorts of braided styles to give each doll its own unique personality.
If you try it, I’d love to see your results — feel free to tag me or drop a photo in the comments!