| Latch-hooking...No Great Mystery.... |
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| daez'z 19 month old latch-hook tightend locs.... |
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| The greatest mystery involved in latch-hooking your hair lies not in the process itself....it lies in knowing when enough tightening is ENOUGH!!...Let's break down the barriers so you can open your mind and totally Overstand what Latch-hooking locs really is!! |
| Check out the woven pattern...this is from sticking the latchhook in a different place each time so as not to create one giant hole.. but instead a series of smooth locs.... |
| Each individual loc is clearly defined...the beginnings of a neatness obsession... you may LOVE latchhooking...but NEVER overdo it.... |
| I'm gonna explain this as simply as I can....I don't want to get too technical because there is nothing technical about it... Where do you get a latchhhook....most people buy them at the local beauty supply store....they are usually less than 2 bucks...if you cannot find one there try a fabric store where you buy material and equipment for sewing....don't be afraid to ASK someone where they are located....you can purchase them online at the NaaniShoppe very cheaply! What does it look like.... A latch-hook looks exactly like it sounds...it has kind of a long handle made of wood...plastic..or rubber with a very thin long metal piece at the end....the metal piece has a small hook with a clasp (or LATCH) that closes on it....hence, Latch-hook..... Who can use a latch-hook.... Anyone can latchhhook their locs....remember...the term "latch-hooking" is now a catch phrase for tightening your hair without twisting by weaving the new growth! However, to use the actual tool your locs must be kind of small.... How do you latch-hook.... Insert the latchhook metal part into your hair near the root into the new growth...push the metal part including the closed hook all the way thru to the other side of the loc... now you simply lay the loc somewhere near the end of it on the small hook and close it....then you PULL the whole latch-hook out of your loc...usually, the latch will open on it's own...if it doesn't simply open it up and remove it from the loc....now you re-insert it in another spot...either left or right or up or down...NEVER go back into the same hole again or you will have ONE GIANT HOLE!!!....you will insert the tool in a different spot each time...usually 3 or 4 times or depending on how much new growth you have...place the loc on it...pull it out...new hole in different spot repeatedly until you have tightenend your new growth....go on to the next one.....that's it ya'll...lol.... I accidently snagged some hair from another loc....HELP!! STOP!!! Before you go any further...if you JUST did it and can "feel" where you made the mistake, pull the loc back out from where it snagged to free it..and CAREFULLY...this time paying attention to what you are doing start again....if you did it a few "hooks" ago...basically there is nothing you can do except leave it alone or clip the snagged hair....again...be VERY careful so you don't clip a wole loc off!! You will get used to using the tool and not snag hair if you mess around and do the wrong thing once or twice!! My locs are too big for the tool....can I latchhook??? You can do the technique but instead of using the tool you can use your fingers....this is fingerhooking and works the same way....make the hole with your fingers...pull your loc thru with your fingers...do the same again in another hole....etc....works great!! I used to palmroll my locs...can I latchhook?? Yes!! However...there WILL be a visible difference in your locs....the latchhhooked areas will be MUCH tighter and of a different pattern...palmrolling is simply rolling your locs in your palms...the locs become tight...but latchhooking is actually WEAVING the hair permanently....therefore it is MUCH tighter!! Before you switch methods do one loc and observe it for a few weeks until you see how it does... Ok...so there are some things about latchhooking I want to warn you about ahead of time before you jack yourself up!!.... IF you already have hand-in-loc disease, when you begin to latchhook you will most likely be a neat freak and do it too tight and way to often....DON'T DO IT!!!! No one neeeds to latchhook more than once a month!! Hair usually grows about a quarter inch a month...so even if your locs LOOK or FEEL loose they are not...remember....latchhooking is PERMANENTLY TIGHTENING YOUR LOC! If you have thin roots.... Please be careful when you are tightening your locs with this tool!!...for some reason when people find a way to have a perfectly manicured look we always take it a step to far....like with relaxers...the first sign of a nap means a re-touch even if it doesn't need it....same with latchhooking....USE DESCRETION!!!... If you have questions about latch-hooking please email me privately HERE, post on my messageboard...or contact Cherie King for her beautifully illustrated e-book..... PALMROLLING.... Palmrolling is very simple...you lay your loc in the palm of one hand...you roll it either clockwise or counterclockwise with the palm of the other hand....rolling from the root to the tip with your palms til it reaches your fingertips...depending on the length of your hair you may have to palmroll a section and then palmroll the rest....that's it!!... Enough already....you get it...there are a zillion ways to do anything dealing with locs....and all of them work.....so go on and experiment...check out the links section on my Main Page and look at all the various locs and techniques used by others.....and enjoy the journey...it is what it is....((HUGS)) ....just me...daez Thank you God for giving me another day of life....AMEN..... |
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| Latch hook with latch open... |