Braid your Dude's Hair

Pattern Overview

The Braid Tutorial is designed to teach makers how to create braided doll hair using strand-based techniques within the Little Dude system. Rather than being a standalone hairstyle pattern, this tutorial focuses on how to form, secure, and style braids that can be adapted to a wide variety of characters and hair lengths.

This tutorial builds on the loose strand hair method, showing how individual strands can be grouped and braided to create structured styles such as single braids, twin braids, or partially braided looks. Because braid length is determined by the length of the strands used, the same technique can be applied to short, medium, or long hair, depending on the character design.

Braids can be created on a wig cap for interchangeable hairstyles or worked directly into the doll’s head for a permanent style. Using a wig cap allows makers to swap or modify hair later, while direct attachment creates a more fixed, integrated look. 

The techniques used are beginner-friendly, relying on repetition and simple steps rather than complex shaping. Clear guidance is provided along with step-by-step photos. 

As with all Little Dude hair content, this tutorial is intended as a building block, not a final endpoint. Once the braiding technique is learned, it can be combined with loose strands, partial shaves, pulled-back sections, beads, or accessories to create unique, character-driven hairstyles. Whether you’re designing a fantasy adventurer, an MMO avatar, or an original character, this tutorial gives you the tools to bring braided styles into your customization toolkit.

What you'll need

      • A way to hold the braid together; a hair tie, small rubber band like one for braces, or a bit of string or ribbon

      • 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:

     

      • Left over middle

      • 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

     

      • Do two side braids for a cute or mischievous look.

      • Add a tiny bead at the end for a fun flashy look.

      • 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!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is this a pattern or a tutorial?
    This is a tutorial, not a standalone pattern. It explains how to braid individual hair strands that were added to a wig cap or directly into the doll’s head to create loose, strand-based hair.

     

    Can this technique be used for both short and long hair?
    Yes. Though shorter hair will likely be more challenging to braid. 

    Is this tutorial beginner-friendly?
    Yes. This tutorial is beginner-friendly and uses a repetitive, easy-to-learn technique. Even if you’ve never braided doll hair before, the step-by-step approach makes it approachable and customizable at your own pace.

    What yarn works best for strand-based hair?
    For consistent scale and appearance, it’s recommended to use the same yarn weight as the base doll or wig cap. However, experimenting with different yarn types and textures can produce varied effects depending on the character style you’re aiming for.

    Can I combine this method with other hair techniques?
    Absolutely. Once braids are added, the other strands can be trimmed, layered, tied back, or combined with accessories. This tutorial is meant to be a foundation method that supports creative experimentation.

    Can I sell finished dolls made using this tutorial?
    Yes. You may sell finished dolls made using techniques from this tutorial on a small scale. Please do not resell or redistribute the tutorial itself. Please tag me @LittleDudeCentral. I would LOVE to see your character.