Make a basket-weave side row

Try a short side row where both hands can work beside your face. Keep the hanging pickups separate from the two strands that form the row.

When to use it

A basket-weave side row traps hanging sections between two twisting strands, making a woven line while the lower hair stays loose.

When a dry detangled side panel has enough length to cross two strands without pulling.

Medium or longer loose hair with enough reach for two or three comfortable crossings.

Keep each vertical pickup hanging freely after trapping it. Do not pull it upward to tighten the row or catch neighboring loose hair.
Stop if short layers escape or the hair begins to snag. Use a smaller row or leave it loose rather than tightening the roots.

Check the situations below before you begin, then follow the steps with those adjustments in mind.

Practice the route first

Try each hand position before starting. Stop and undo if you cannot see or comfortably reach the next section.

STEP 1 OF 3
Separate the two working strands
- Pick a small section at the temple and split it in two. Cross the front strand over the rear strand, moving away from your face.
- Keep both working strands distinct. Leave a nearby vertical section above the row loose for the first pickup.
STEP 2 OF 3
Trap a hanging pickup between the pair
- Hold the two working strands apart with one hand. With the other, lower a small vertical section from above into the gap.
- Let the pickup hang below the row. Cross the two working strands away from the face again to trap it between them.
- Repeat with the next vertical section as the row moves toward the ear. Stop after a few comfortable crossings; do not add pickups to the pair.
STEP 3 OF 3
Tie the pair and unwind gently later
- Secure just the two working strands together with the hair tie. Leave the vertical pickups hanging freely and check for pulling.
- To remove, take off the tie and reverse each crossing from the end. Lift the pair apart to free each trapped section without tugging it.

One small side row with two or three hanging pickups.

Unmeasured editorial handling estimate for the stated scope. Familiarity, access and the item or hair being handled change the time.

Two or three hanging pickups pass through the tied side row, with no root pulling; the row can be unwound from its end.