1 Comprehensive synthetic dreadlock information.

INDEX Overview Main ways to wear dreadlocks Types of synthetic dreadlocks Popular styles of synthetic dreadlock How to wear synthetic dreadlocks How to wear falls How to install Single ended and double ended dreadlocks How long to wear an install for Taking out your installed dreadlocks How synthetic dreadlocks are made Single ended dreadlocks Double ended dreadlocks Sealing Kanekalon (KK) Sealing the ends of your dreadlocks Roving Roving vs Kanekalon Dread stations and dread making tool kits Re-sealing dreadlocks Styling your dreadlocks Washing your dreadlocks Sleeping with an install Common problems that come with making and wearing dreadlocks Dreadlocks and your health Common issues and problems and how to fix or manage them Where to buy synthetic dreadlocks and dreadlock making materials and how much you can expect to pay Buying dreadlocks Buying Materials Safe buying and selling FAQs Links Thanks

A note on photographs used. All permission to use these images was sought. All links and credit given on images page, where not watermarked, all photos are clearly labelled with picture information. Do not steal, use or borrow without permission from the original owner. Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

2 Overview Synthetic dreadlocks come in many forms, the two main of which are made either from Kanekalon (shortened to KK), synthetic hair, or roving (unspun wool). You can also make them from other thing such as PP synth hair, but it does not seal well. Other materials used to make synth dreads (and dread like extensions) areHuman hair, alpaca wool, colinette, yarn/wool, bubble wrap, cyber lox/ tubular crin, wool, fleece (fake roving) Synthetic dreadlocks are those that are made before attaching to your own hair in some way- they do not require any locking of your own hair- though they can be attached to pre-existing dreadlocks as extensions. The main way to wear dreads:FALLS Where upon the dreads are attached to a piece of elastic, ribbon or lace so as they can be tied around the wearers existing hair that has been put into a bun. They cover the hair to make it look as though the dreadlocks are your own- these are generally worn in two pigtails/bunches, but can be attached to singular pony tails also. These can also be attached to large jaw clips. Usually falls have around 30 dreads per fall, they are also usually made from single ended dreadlocks since they can be mounted onto elastic far more easily.

(Brown, Black and Blonde falls by Pretty Dreadful) INSTALLED In which dreadlocks are plaited into your own hair which is sectioned into small bunches, then braided around the dread using the dreadlock as the third piece of braid. These last longer, look more natural and can be worn up to a month. This can be used with normal plaiting, blanket braid, or with special techniques for shorter hair. The braid is usually secured with a strong elastic, or thread. To do an install your hair must be at least three inches to braid, but there are ways to put dreads into short hair also.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

3 Braid install

(Mkatsi, dreads and model) CLIP INS- These are dreads attached to extension clips (or other suitable clips) two or three at a time and can be clipped into the hair, these are usually used to make falls appear more real and for coverage.

(Dread clips by Black Sunshine)

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

4 WIGS In which a wig is dreaded, or synth hair is added to an existing wig (or indeed is made from scratch with KK/other materials and a wig cap) and can be worn over the wearers existing hair. You can also use half wigs to have half coverage, and leave bangs free.

(Dreadwig by Dreadviolet now www.dreadviolet.com)

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

5 MAIN TYPES OF DREADS SINGLE ENDED which have a loop at the top to push hair through and braid down, these lie flatter to the head and are more comfortable to some people.

(Rainbow single ended dreadlocks by Pretty Dreadful)

DOUBLE ENDED which you must fold in half and starting on the join, braid down, these usually create a fuller but more un-natural (in the way they lie to the head) look, but which many find easier to install. They also help disguise natural hair since the unbraided side can cover the braided one.

(Brown and black DE dreads by Mkatsi

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

6 HARLEQUIN in which two single ended dreads are made into a double ended- the loops at the top are looped together. These have the advantage of the easy install of a double ended dreadlock and the flatter lie of a single ended (usually)

(Picture taken by Mkatsi, dread made by Urban Synthetix.)

POPULAR STYLES OF DREAD I will not list who started each trend, whilst there are some obvious pioneers in some cases, others are disputed- I will merely list the styles and give information where I can. Normal twisted KK dreads- In which KK is backcombed, twisted tight and steamed smooth, trying to make uniform smooth dreadlocks.

(Brown fall by Pretty Dreadful)

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

7 Natural Style Dreads- In which KK is backcombed and palm rolled and sealed lightly to create a much more natural looking and often softer dreadlock.

(Blonde natural look dreads by Jynx Dreads, worn by Mkatsi)

Crochet dreads- KK is dreaded using a crochet needle. These look very natural indeed, and are usually the way in which natural dreadlocks are extended since they look closest to the real thing.

(Crochet set by Woolhairhabit)

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

Wrapped- in which smaller sections of KK in different widths and often colours, are wrapped around the dread, and it is all sealed together to create a layered look.

(Wrappy dreads made by Urban Synthetix worn by Mkatsi)

Knotty No seal- In which smaller sections of KK are wrapped and braided tightly around a backcombed section and no steam is used to seal the dreadlock.

(knotty no seal set by Woolhairhabit)

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

9 Roving- made from the felting of wool- usually merino. Roving is a material more than a style, and can be dyed to create transitional effects etc.

(Green, pink, orange and black roving by Saspie Doo)

Transitional- In which one colour is twisted into another so the top is one colour and the bottom is another.

(Black to green transitional dip dye a line roving by Saspie Doo, and pink to blue single ended transitional dreads by Pretty Dreadful)

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

10 Blended- in which KK colours are hand blended to create unique colours or mixes of colours (depending on how much they are blended it will look like a new colour, or like one rippled into another)

(Purple and blue blends by Tyto dreads) Curly- In which the dreads are curled usually around a broom handle or curlers with steam

(Red and black harlequin curled dreads by Tyto dreads)

Candycane- In which two colours are twisted together to create a candy-cane like effect.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

11

(candycane accents in full set by Tyto dreads)

Splashed- In which just a small section of the dread shows a twist of another colour

(Splashed dreads by Rivet Licker) With weft In which a weft of loose hair is attached to the dread to create a layered and unfinished look to the style. Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

12

(Natural style dread with weft attached by Post-Modernist Trash)

Wiggly- In which the dreads are plaited then steamed to create a wiggly rather than bouncy curl texture.

(Wiggly crochet dreads by Woolhairhabit)

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

13 Patterned- in which things like leopard print it painted or drawn onto the dread with acrylic or sharpies- or in the case of roving, carefully needle felted onto the dread.

(Leopard print dreads by Pretty Dreadful)

TO WEAR Falls To wear falls then the wearer usually puts his or her hair into two buns, high on the head, wrap the hair as tightly as you can and twist it into a topknot/bun and secure as you usually would. In the section below the place you secured the hair, just above your scalp and before the band, push your finger through the hair to create a hole in the hair. Take your fall, and push the elastic, if a closed elastic, through the hole in the hair, then from the other side, pull the band up and over the bun to secure the fall in place (twist and recover the band until tight and secure) then to finish, flip the fall back over your hair, this should give full coverage. For unclosed bands, you can do the same, or simply secure tie the band/ribbon around the bun and tie tightly. If you have enough dreads on your fall, you should be able to arrange them so as your real hair will not show through. Repeat on the other side. Many people like to wear a headband with falls to cover their scalp, this creates the illusion that you have real dreadlocks, not that they simply start from your buns and do not go to your roots. Having a fake fringe the same colour as your dreads (if you natural hair/dyed hair is not the right colour) helps complete the look.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

14

(Green camo falls by Pretty dreadful worn by Shay Wynter) Installs To do an INSTALL takes time and practice, and usually, a helping hand. You firstly need to learn to braid, or if you can, blanket braid (this is a neater form of braid that helps shorten the braid length of your real hair and make the dreads look more natural to your head). Installs change depending on whether you are installing double or single ended dreads. An install usually requires your hair to be three inches in length, this is the minimum length for a braided install- there are however ways to install on shorter hair, see FAQ.

(DE dread installs, a normal braid (left) on long hair, and a blanket braid (right) Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

15 Many people like to section their hair before they install dreads, this involves carefully sectioning the hair and banding off each section. A section is the amount of hair it will take you to install one dread, this is usually about 2cm wide- this of course changes entirely depending on the person, and the amount of dreads you wish to install. The easiest way to section is to use a rat tail comb to slide under the layer of hair and lift- this will get you a nice straight section, without bits of hair from the rest of the head. Once sectioned (if you have chosen to do so) you can start to install your dreadlocks.

(Sectioned hair, hair and sectioning belonging to Saspie Doo) Dreads are usually all one length, but other ways you can wear them includes wearing different lengths to create layers and texture, or A line, which starts with long dreads at the front and gets shorter and shorter towards the back.

(A line roving by Saspie Doo) Installing Single Ended dreads. Single ended dreadlocks are installed by hooking or pushing the section of hair through a loop at the top of the dreadlock, the hair is then split into two smaller sections and using the dread as a third, all three are braided together and banded off at the bottom. The most common ways to hook the hair through the loop are with a latch hook (for rug making) this allows you to hook pull the hair through and is often found to be the easiest method- or with a pony band (the kind with the metal band that

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

16 covers the join in the elastic) the hard metal section is easier to push through the loop than loose hair or floppy band.

(a latchhook- put the hook through the loop of the dread, slip your hair into the hook, then pull the hook back through the dread!)

Installing double ended dreads. Double ended dreadlocks are installed by unfolding the dread, and placing the middle (where the fold was) between the split section of hair, so you should have hair, dread, hair- then the same as the single ended, you use the dread as a third and braid down. You may have to hold the other end of the dread in place with a clip, a helping hand or your mouth until you get the hang of not pulling the dread so as it will slip when you are braiding. A full head of installs can take anywhere from an hour to eight, depending on how you are installing, how practiced you are, if you section, how fast you are at braiding and how many you are installing. The average install time seems to be about three hours- obviously beginners ought to set aside more time than they feel they may need. Self-installs are typically much more difficult as you cannot see the back of your head, and reaching up to braid for so long can become uncomfortable for some. If you get others to install for you, it is always good to make sure you help by keeping the bands on hand, holding dreads out of the way (etc).

How long to wear them Falls cannot be worn over night, they are simply an accessory for one day use, you can install the next day with ease. Roving and KK installs are generally worn for up to a month before the wearer takes them out to reinstall after washing the dreads and their hair. The main reason to do this is because if you allow your hair above the dread to grow out for too long, then your natural hair will begin to dreadlock itself, this will be difficult and potentially harmful to comb out. Between wearing you can wash your dreads if you feel they need it (see the how to wash section) and wash your own hair well. It is likely you will build up some oil from wearing them, so use a shampoo to wash your hair twice and then deep condition it. You can reinstall as soon as you choose afterwards. This will not harm your hair in any way.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

17 Another reason to re-install is that after so long, your own hair begins to get fuzzy on top where it escapes a little from the braids, depending on the length and quality of hair you can get quite a build-up of fuzz- this can be snipped off with little consequence if you really wish, but it is best to simply re-install. Accessories to installs- Some people after an install like to hide the join where their natural hair meets the dreadlock, this can be achieved by wrapping yarn/wool around the top of the dread and tying it tightly off. This can look out of place in some instances. Your natural hair will always look less noticeable on the second day or so when you have slept on your dreads. Bands. To secure your dread and braid, the most commonly used products are small elastic bands. Bands that are plastic not rubber will be no use here since they tend to snap with wear and then your dread will fall out. Thick but small rubber bands are needed- the strongest bands are orthodontia bands or those used on show horses, you can also get strong bands from afro-Caribbean hair extension shops and specialists.

(horse mane strong rubber bands) Your dread can also be secured by thread, it takes a little longer, but is very secure and can be almost invisible if the shade of thread matches your dreads. Take strong sewing thread and tie it around the base of the braid and dread, do a double knot, then wrap around the other side and repeat, then wrap the chord round a good few times to cover any wisps of natural hair, this will be neat and very secure, tie off again tightly and cut the thread to length. Decorations such as dread beads and wraps can also be worn, try pushing beads with large holes onto your dreads, or wrapping colourful yarn and adding smaller beads. You can pretty much tie anything into your dreads so long as you are aware that you will have to sleep with whatever accessory you add if its actually tied in.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

18

(Fairy Bunny/Love Bunny dread sari silk wraps, beads, bells and butterflies)

Taking out your install Taking your dreads out after wearing them is just as important as the install, and can often take as long, here are some tips. If you have someone to help, it is best to get them to snip the bands with small scissors for you, then you can make sure that you wont be snipping through your hair, it also takes much less time since they will be able to see the bands where as you may not. You can, of course, un loop your bands if you want to save and re-use them, but they tend to loose elasticity and this will be time consuming. If your band is matted in your hair, take your time to ease it out carefully, dont just pull! When your bands are taken out, undo the braid and take out the dread and lay it aside, you will end up with very crimped hair. Take a wide toothed comb (not a brush as this will damage the hair) and carefully and slowly tease out the hair, you will likely encounter some knots, take your time. You will lose A LOT of hair, do not panic! The hair that comes out in your comb and hands is an accumulation of what you would have lost naturally. You lose about 100 hairs a day, when braided, your hair cannot just fall out, it stays in the braid, so you comb it out afterwards instead. After youve combed out, jump in the shower, give your hair a good shampooing, focussing on the roots and then condition well, deep condition if you can.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

19

(post-dread removal hair, after it has been combed out and the amount of hair brushed out) How dreadlocks are made. As I have said, dreads are usually made from KK or roving. I will briefly explain how each is made. However I will not go into great detail since the best way to learn will never be from words, there could be too many miscommunications and misunderstandings to realise what I mean. If you want to learn to make dreadlocks I suggest going to youtube and watching videos, the best way to learn is from example. KK DREADLOCKS To make a basic dreadlock from kanekalon, you must first split the hair. KK comes doubled over in packets, you will need between 7 and 9 packets of KK for a full head of dreads, KK retails from about 2.99 a packet, but can easily be more or less depending on where you live and your supplier.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

20

(Enough KK for a full set of 50 DE dreads, courtesy of Tyto Dreads) Take the KK from the pack, and hang it over something, make sure that its not tangled or will slide off. Section your hair, depending on the size you want you dreads, more or less hair will be needed. Usually for an average size dread, you will need to split your pack into between 6 and 8 sections. For single ended dreads this number is doubled. Of course you will need to cut the hair if you want shorter dreadlocks. For Double ended dreadsTake a section of the KK carefully, and pin one half of it down somehow, bull dog clips are useful for this. You will then need to use a fine tooth comb to backcomb the loose section of hair, with your hand holding the section beneath, backcomb from the top down, every now and then pulling the hair apart and combing over again, smooth down with your hand as you go to ensure a no loops or bumps. Make sure you backcomb enough that the hair can stand up on its own, and not flop over, if you hold it upright. Your hair should now taper from a wide section to very thin at the bottom. Repeat for the other side clipping down the section you have combed.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

21

(Backcombed DE, by Mkatsi) For single ended dreadsYou will need something to make a loop around, usually a coathanger is used. Take your section of hair and loop around the coathanger hook, so as you have even lengths of hair either side, pull taught and backcomb as described before. Make sure the hair is really well backcombed right up to the hook, when done, slip it off the hook and you should have a loop- this is your single ended dread. With these, it may be easier to seal as you go, that way you wont have to try and push the loop back onto the hanger later. Another method for making single ended dreads is to make them on a long piece of ribbon or chord. Secure your chord so as you can work with it, be this by one end, or by both ends (this is simply preference for backcombing purposes) fold the KK over the chord and backcomb as usual making the loop around the chord- this way you can backcomb all your dreads at once, without having to steam right after or take on and off the coat hanger, you can simply backcomb a dread and push it up the chord out of the way and carry on with the next. Seal them around the chord also, and either leave on if you are making falls, or slide carefully off to create a kit. It is also useful at times to put an elastic band around the top of your dread under the loop to keep the shape secure whilst you make them. Sealing KK. KK seals when heat and water are applied since it shrinks the fibres and forces it to hold its shape. Usually steam is used, but boiling water can also be used if one is careful. There are quite a few ways to seal your dread lock with steam. For your basic dread, you must twist the dreadlock tightly starting at the top and smoothing with your thumbs as you progress, keeping the twist tight- this should form the backcombed hair into a smooth dread shape. Holding the twist

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

22 in place somehow (every one has a slightly different way, I prefer forceps) you then must steam your dread. It is useful especially with the boiling water method, to use rubber washing up gloves to protect your hands from burns. The main methods of sealing are as follows Steam cleaners- the types you use for carpets and walls, they create high-powered jets of very hot steam. They cost anywhere between 25 and 200 depending on the quality and wattage. You need at least 1500 watts for the steam to be hot enough to seal. Use the upholstery attachment (a flat head with a fabric cover) to run over the twisted dreadlock until sealed (so as it wont untwist). This is the method preferred by most sellers.

(steam cleaner) Steam Irons- Use a wet cloth and a steam iron to create steam. Keeping the dread twisted, place a damp cloth (not soaking) over the dread, then carefully iron onto that- do not press to hard as your dread will be flattened. The result should be hissing and steam, both from the iron and the heat on the damp cloth, make sure to keep the iron moving, iron until the dread is completely sealed. You will also need a doubled up towel under your dread or an ironing board. Flat Irons/Hair straighteners- This is a similar method to the iron, only using your hair straighteners. Take a damp cloth or flannel and wrap it around the dreadlock, then holding the dread in the air (or suspending it) run your irons over the flannel twisting downwards with your wrist as you go. You must be very careful mixing your household appliance and water, so nothing soaking! Many people use this as a way to seal the ends of their dreads, or to achieve very smooth dreads. Boiling water. This method simply uses boiling water, usually in a pan or poured from a kettle over the dread. You must be careful when keeping the twist in the dread not to burn yourself when passing the lock through the water- you will also have to hang your dreadlock to dry afterwards.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

23

(boiling water to steal before palm rolling- Post modernist trash, see links page for full tutorial) Tea-kettle. Some dread makers use tea kettles to create steam. Tea kettles are metal kettles which you boil on the hob of your cooker- they have a spout which creates a concentrated jet of steam through which you can pass your dread to seal it, again, one must be careful of their fingers using this method.

(tea kettle creating concentrated jet of steam)

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

24

For more information on sealing, I highly suggest youtube videos. It is easier to learn from seeing than reading, and for that reason I have not gone into great detail here. Sealing the ends of your dreads

(ends of dreads by Mkatsi) Sealing the ends of your dreads can be tricky, but all it takes is practice and a little knowhow. Some use braid sealers, which do the job for you, but these can be pricey. You need to twist your ends off right to the tip then hold it in place to seal, I find that the best way is with a pair of forceps since you can click them and then have both hands to keep working. Another way is to use something that wont melt and press onto the very end, then with your free hand, seal the rest. As I have mentioned before, some find it easier to use their flat iron. Whichever way, dont panic if its not perfect, you will usually need to take some scissors and snip the ratty end off anyway. Some people use a lighter to seal the ends, but this is generally only for emergency situations, if you are out and one is unravelling. Using a lighter melts the fibres together, but it tends to create a blob of black plastic and smells, so if you can use another method, do. Roving Roving is unspun wool that you felt to create dreads. The dreads are known as roving. There are different kinds of roving wool you can buy, dread makers often use Merino, but others such as Corridale and Alpaca can be used. You can buy roving pre-dyed or un-dyed and dye it your own colours using specific dyes. Roving wool is sold in grams and you will need around 500g for an average full heads worth of dreads. The wool can be bought in different micron counts, the lower the count, the easier it is to felt.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

25

(Unspun roving, courtesy of Saspie Doo)

There are a couple of ways of making roving dreads. The hand method is to taking roving wool and tearing it into your required lengths. Dont cut the wool since you will have a blunt rather than tapered end. Once you have the required length, split the wool into your desired thickness. Using a bowl of hot water mixed with soap, place your wool in the bowl and allow it to soak up the water for a couple of minutes. Carefully taking the wool out, place it onto a towel and use your palms to rolls the wool into a dreadlock/sausage shape and allow to dry.

(Raw roving next to palm rolled roving by Saspie Doo) Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

26 Machine felting. To use a washing machine to felt your roving, section your wool as before by tearing to length, then splitting to correct thickness. Palm roll the wool into a smooth dread shape, repeat for all dreads. Put all of the rolled dreads into a pillow case and secure with bands or knot, then pop into the washing machine and wash on wool or delicate. Take out and allow to dry, before repeating the process. There are many ways to create differences in your roving, be this through dying, dip dying, tie-dying, plaiting or twisting to create texture, needle felting to create patterns. The best way is to both experiment and research felting.

Roving vs KK dreads Everyone has their own favourite type of dread to wear and there are pros and cons to all, but I will focus here on the difference between roving and KK. KK is obviously a little more versatile in the fact that you can create perfect curls (roving can also be curled, but not to the same effect) and often looks more like real hair, however roving can be dyed to any colour and in any way that one may wish, and felting creates new styles that can be explored. Roving tends to be cheaper than KK since the materials to make roving are cheaper and they generally take a seller less time to make. Roving is more comfortable to wear than KK since it is soft and light, some find KK heavy and itchy. Roving is a lot warmer to wear than KK, so in the summer, this must be taken into consideration. KK can be used to create very natural looking dreadlocks and extend existing dreadlocks where-as roving has a very particular look. Depending on how the KK dread is made it can be very difficult to put into a pony/tie up, where as roving is always soft and pliable. Dread stations and tool kits A KK dread station is where you make your dreadlock, everyones is slightly different but you will need the following at yours. Somewhere to secure your dreadlock from, many use chairs (with slats or poles you can loop around) some have specifically installed metal poles or hooks. Something to secure your dread with, for example pegs or bull dog clips- depending on where you are trying to secure the dread from will depend on what you need to secure it, experiment until you find something that works for you. Many work on the floor and just use their hands and feet to secure the dread. Something to hang you KK from whilst it is sections, and bands to keep it sectioned. I use a coat hanger, then put a band lightly around each section to keep them separated. Something to seal with, if its an iron, you will need a towel on your station or an ironing board so as not to burn any surfaces.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

27 A comb- most use cheap plastic combs with the fine teeth on one end and larger on the other, you can alternate to create tight backcombing, and they are easy to replace when the teeth break. Some swear by nit combs, though I find them too thin- others love to use a wire pet brush. A pair of scissors for nipping off your ends and cutting hair to any length. A pair of forceps (optional, depending on how you seal ends) Water for your steaming method. Often handy to have an extra bowl of water to top up with or re-dampen any cloth you may be using. Note- steamers suggest using distilled water to prevent lime scale build-up which can clog your steamer, this is however, very expensive.

(http://www.hairextensionsforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=8473&hilit=dread+station Since everybody has a different station, I will not post a picture here, but for an idea visit this thead) Resealing your dreads. Note! NEVER ATTEMPT THIS WHILST YOUR DREADS ARE INSTALLED ON YOUR HEAD! Over time, dreads can become loose and unravel a little from wear and tear. You can re-seal in the exact same ways that you seal in the first place, but instead of twisting from backcombed hair, you just twist the untwisted sections back into place. Use your usual steaming method to twist and steam. There generally is not a limit to how many times you can re-seal your dreads and the better you get at making them, the less you should have to re-seal subsequently. The same goes for curling your dreads. If the curl has dropped simply re-curl them using whatever method you usually use (be this hot water and a broom handle and foil, or curlers and a veg steamer or steam cleaner).

(curling dreads in a vegetable steamer by Mkatsi)

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

28 Styling your dreads. Once your dreads are installed, you can go about learning how you like to wear them. Many people simply wear them down on a day to day basis, but like all hair, you will want options of different styles! The great thing about dreads is they are very easy to style and play around with, no hair bands needed! Of course you can put them into ponytails and bunches using bands- rather, it is better to use a piece of elastic to do this which you tie around the dread, rather than attempting to use a normal hair band as it will be difficult to double the band up and pull the dreads through as they are usually too big.

(Sea themed dreads by Technicolour nacht hair, styled by Mkatsi) The easiest way to tie back your dreads is to get knotting. Take some dreads from either side of the head and tie in a loose knot behind your head, then repeat using three or four dreads at a time until all of your dreads are knotted at the back of your head. The style will stay firmer if you tie the bottom sections of hair around the top of your head and vice versa, this should create one bun-like knot! You can also twist dreads, split the dreads in half and twisting each half, swirl into a bun and secure with a loose dread, this will be like an invisible hair band! This is a neater look.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

29

(Blonde dreads made by Jynx, styled by Mkatsi) It is difficult to explain how to style dreads, again, the best way to learn is through watching others and just experimenting yourself- every set of dreads is different and styles will vary depending on the length and thickness of the dreads. Some makers create very stiff dreads that are difficult to style or tie back and this must be taken into consideration before buying. If you do find your dreads a little too stiff, you can throw them into the washing machine to soften them up- see the section on washing to learn how to do this correctly.

Washing your dreadlocks Washing your dreadlocks is often something people worry about when deciding whether or not to wear synth or roving. I will dispel a myth here and now. You most definitely CAN wash your hair whilst wearing synth if you so wish. To wash your hair whilst wearing synth the best way is to dilute some shampoo (something like teatree oil based shampoo is best- the less chemicals that have the potential to gunk up your dreads, the better) in some water which can be poured carefully over the scalp. Be careful to hold your dreadlocks out of the way as much as possible to avoid soaking them. Use a shower to rinse your scalp afterwards. You can use your fingertips to massage in the shampoo if you so wish but do not rub hard, this will force shampoo into the dreads and ultimately create more dirt since it will not wash out of the fibres and cause build up.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

30 There is no need to wash the dreadlocks themselves, though you can spritz with Febreze (fabric freshener/de-odouriser) if you feel they are beginning to smell- the main smell that will lock into your dreads is smoke from cigarettes or BBQs. Many dread wearers choose not to wash their hair whilst wearing synth because it can be very heavy whilst wet, this will pull on your scalp. If you do get wet dreads, wring them out as much as you can, before placing a towel on your shoulders to stop your top soaking and allow them to dry naturally. The hair that is plaited into your dreads actually stays relatively clean since it is not exposed to dirt and the atmosphere and you will not be putting products into your hair that will cause build up. Most people take out their dreads every three weeks or so to wash their natural hair and put their locks through the wash (if they need it). This is also a time to reseal if needed, and sort out any fuzzies. To wash your dreads, put them together so they are even by draping over something if they are DEs and making sure you have the folds all together, or simply making sure they are together and even if SEs. Take your dreads and put them in a clean pillowcase, wrap the case around the dreads then over the dreads and case, secure with elastic or a hairband. The whole thing can then be put into a washing machine on a low heat with a small amount of powder, liquid or a tab (if using a tab it is an idea to put some towels or something else soft with them). Dont simply fling them in the wash in a bundle as they will start to dread together in the wash. The reason for the pillow case is to stop them tangling in the machine and either damaging your machine or becoming very fuzzy. When they come out it is likely you may have to pull them apart a little if they have matted. Hang them to dry on a coat hanger inside with a bucket or newspaper underneath to catch the drips. Sleeping Sleeping on dreads can be a daunting thing for some people, but its both an easy and useful thing to do once you get used to it! If you have trouble sleeping, then it may be best to start with a set of roving as they are softer, like an extra pillow. Most people get used to sleeping on their dreads after two nights. The first night you wear your dreads, your scalp may feel tender to push on the dreads, to maximise comfort its handy to have a very soft pillow. Sleeping on your dreads will help them settle, both allowing your scalp to be used to the movement and tugging of the dreads, and letting them sit better on the head- so any that stuck out in the wrong way, should settle in and lie flatter. After a couple of sets of dreads, you will find it much easier to settle into sleeping on them, and it will feel normal. Depending on the size of your dread set, some find it easier to tie them back to sleep with as they will not be in the way, but if you have lots of dreads or thick dreads, then it may be uncomfortable to sleep on them tied back, especially if you sleep on your back as they will be in the way. Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

31 Common problems that come with dreads and dread making. There are quite a few common issues that can arise from dread making these can range from pure vanity to health issues, but all are worth taking into consideration, where I can I will offer solutions. Dreads and your health Dreadlocks are difficult to wear at times and making them can also be a wearing process if you do it on a regular basis. There are some problems that are serious and others that are only seem as such, I will try and dispel some anxieties here. It is common for dreads to hurt for the first three days, and for you to have bouts of itchiness throughout wearing them. This is the nature of braided hair- the better you section your hair to begin with, the less likely hair is to tug from places it shouldnt. Many people experience small red spots and bumps, often around the hair line, when wearing dreads, these are simply caused by strands of hair being constantly pulled in the wrong direction- they are nothing to worry about. They may hurt and itch a little, keep an eye on them, if nothing more occurs then do not panic.

(Hairline sore from wearing synthetic dreadlocks) It is known that some may experience headaches from wearing dreadlocks, if this becomes constant or severe take your dreads out and allow your scalp to rest a little. If it is very hot, and you are finding yourself over heating from wearing dreads, tie them up as high as you comfortably can, this should help you cool down- if you are still finding them too warm, take them out! There is no point risking making yourself ill for hair. When installing dreads, make sure you take time to let your arms rest! Hands must be looked after when dread making as the process is difficult on them, both from repetitive motion and constant gripping as well as friction. Make sure to use good hand creams and generally look after those feelers. Making dreads is a process that, depending on your dread station, can be very hard work for your back, as you are often bent over to backcomb. Make sure to stretch, take breaks, and take care of your back as much as possible. As above, wrist and lower arm pains are becoming common issues with dread sellers, the same backcombing and twisting motions are something the body is not used to. If you feel pain whilst working on your dreads, stop for a moment. There is little that one can do to

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

32 combat the long wear and tear of joints and muscles unfortunately, but if youre hurting, stopping for a while is the best short term solution. Dreadlock issues and problems. Lots of people have the same problems when it comes to some dreads, here are a few and how to deal with them. Dreads can pick up the smell of smoke pretty easily, get your hands on some Febreze, it comes in lots of nice scents now too. (Or your equivalent fabric freshener/deodouriser)

(Febreze, good for de-odorising dreads) Lots of people suffer from what are known as fuzzies on their dreads, this is when small short hairs on the dread stick out and make the dread look fuzzy. You can chop these off if they are very bad or long, but the best thing to do is to give them a reseal when you can, many swear by the straightener method to eliminate fuzzies. On a similar note, when installing, people sometimes get pokies this is when your natural hair in the braid begins to come out of the braid and stick up. On the ends of the braid, simply put another band on to keep them down, if it is half way up somewhere it might be an idea to re-braid, if it is really annoying you. Sectioning to suit your layers can help with this greatly. If your dreads begin to get Velcro like and stick to one another the likelihood is they need to be re-sealed. This can happen a lot with natural style dreads, but there is little you can do about this since it is the small hairs that cause the Velcro effect, and if your dreads are smoothed out, they will no longer look so natural. Make sure when buying KK that it says Jumbo Braid and 100% kanekalon on it. When making KK dreads you will find that there are some colours that do not seal well or do not back comb well. Sometimes this will be fixed by working on your technique other times

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

33 it is simply the quality of the hair in the colour. This is not something that can really be fixed, it just needs to be worked through.

Where to buy dreads and dread making materials, and how much you can expect to pay. Dreads are one of those things that can vary a great deal in price. You will find that since dreads are hand made products that the price range can vary from seller to seller. A seller themselves can become an effective brand name, but there is no brand-name dreads to set an average price. You can buy machine made dreads named Elysee Stars, and you can expect to pay 6 for 10 des as a standard rate. Elysee stars will be covered in the FAQ section. Materials. Dread making materials can vary in price greatly depending on what country you live in. I know for example that Australia has a very high price for KK. However, here is what you can expect to pay on average in the UK and US in 2011. A pack of KK Jumbo braid- 2.99 or $2.75. You can see that KK is much cheaper in the US, and many in the UK prefer to order from the US and pay the extra postage as it works out about the same, but you can usually find better quality and different colours of KK. You will need between 7 and 10 bags of jumbo braid for the average full head of dreads.

(A pack of Jumbo braid Kanekalon curtsoy of Tyto Dreads)

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

34 Roving wool/merino is sold in grams, you will need around 500g for an average full head of dreads. Wool comes in at around 5.00 per 100 grams in the UK and between $4 and $6 in the USA. Other things you can buy are silky hair, which is smooth rather than the crinkly KK which tends to come in a little more expensive per pack. This is useful for braiding and very very smooth dreads, but is difficult to backcomb. You can also buy things like colinette wool which is spun to create texture, this comes in at about 6 a skein and can be used to braid into the hair. Youll need around eight skeins for a head. Elastic bands/horse bands/orthodontia bands go for about 2/$3.00 a pack depending on where you buy them. Try pet supplies, ebay and specific dread makers/dread supplies shops online. Buying Dreads. Synthetic dreadlocks are usually custom made. This means that you contact a seller (they will usually have a price list on their website) and ask them for exactly what you want, length,count, size, colour and depending on the maker, style. Many dread makers specialise in a particular style, so it is useful to shop around for what you want rather than settle on one seller if you want to explore different dread styles and kits. It is also possible to buy pre-made dread kits. These tend to be a little cheaper, but the colour style length and count are already chosen for you. Since every seller is different, it is difficult to give an average price. Most sellers tend to charge for materials plus a rate for the time it takes them to make it, just like any business. Sellers that are just starting out and building up a portfolio are likely to charge less than very dedicated and established sellers who have a very good dread making reputation- this is so that they have the chance to build their portfolio and customer gallery before charging more. It is important to stress that many dread sellers make a living from selling custom made extensions, therefore when selling dreads their prices must reflect that. They will often have to pay tax on their income, rent on a studio in which they create their dreadlocks, and indeed, outside of the UK VAT on materials and dreadlocks can be very high indeed. For an average custom set of KK, in the UK and US at the moment (2011), a medium length, 50 count DE/100 SE you are looking at paying between 55 and 150 depending on who you buy from, how thick the dreads are and so on. Other than the cost of materials and taxes (etc) often the style plays a big factor in price differences, things like curlies, blends and swirls cost more and things like natural palm rolled cost a little less, this is due to the time put into making them. Another important factor in price differences in dreads is the quality of the goods you are receiving. A very well recommended and highly skilled dread seller will charge more for their wares as you can expect them to be of the highest standard. It must be taken into account also that sellers outside of the UK and US can expect to have higher prices due to import duties on materials which are seen as a luxury. For your average custom set of roving, 50 count DE it is likely you will pay between 30 and 50

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

35 The cost of dreads is in constant flux and rising since the materials are oil based and therefore are costing more and more to buy. Your dreadset will cost more depending on WHO you buy from, (that quality of seller they are, if they are a registered business etc) WHERE you buy from (and all that countries restrictions, shippings and material costs) and WHAT you buy from them. Where to buy and safe buying and selling. Synth dreads are almost entirely available online, this is only because of the nature of custom dreads. There are sellers that go to festivals, fetish fairs and other conventions and have stalls in places like Camden Market (specifically the electric ballroom I believe) but these are not always accessible to the unassuming buyer, and it is likely you will have to go online to find out where they will be. Some salons offer dreads now, but again, they are often few and far between. I would argue that the best place to find dread sellers is through the Hair Extensions Forum and their sellers list (see links) though more and more sellers are using facebook, etsy and ebay to sell their wares. You can also read reviews of many sellers on H.E.F and on the Hair Extension Society on facebook (both on links page). I believe it is important always to read seller reviews before buying. I would suggest that if you find a seller you are not sure of, that you request to see more examples of their work than is listed, this is a simple precaution since there are some sellers who are frauds and use a range of other people images to try and scam you out of money. Be careful to look for watermarks, if a seller has images that are watermarked with names other than their own, it is wise to question why that is. When buying custom dreadlocks, make sure that you let the seller know exactly what you want. If there is any vagueness then you may end up with something you did not want due to miscommunication, on the other hand, you are entitled to ask to see a couple of dreads done before the whole set is complete, just to check in on how things are going. You will be asked, unlike other online products, to pay upfront, this is because sellers usually use the money you pay them to buy the materials to make your specific dreadlocks so do not be alarmed. Sellers also need assurance that a buyer will not back out without paying and the seller be left with a dread-set they then have to try and sell on. You should note that dread turnaround times for custom sets tend to be 3 weeks or more, the seller will let you know how long this is. You should not expect to get your dreads straight after you pay for them because they have to be made, this includes the time it takes waiting for the materials to arrive. Many sellers offer a rush service for a little more money if you need dreads quickly. If your seller has taken longer than the agreed turnaround time and has not contacted to you let you know why this is the case- try and contact them asap, if you get no reply, it may be time to take further action. If you do not pay with paypal, make sure you receive some form of receipt.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

36 FAQ Are dreadlocks dirty? No, they are not. You can wash your scalp carefully with water and diluted shampoo if you like, but your hair is mostly protected from dirt in the braid. Not even natural dreadlocks are dirty! They are created by backcombing and palm rolling not by a lack of soap and water. Are dreadlocks heavy? Sometimes, depending on the style you choose and how you wear them up, but you can get used to it pretty quickly. If you want something lighter choose a shorter thinner set of KK or choose roving dreads. Do they itch? Yes sometimes! In the same way having your hair in little braids itches sometimes, its the hair being pulled in directions it is not used to. Its fine to itch though! Sometimes a rattail comb can help itch hard to reach places. If its really itchy you could dilute some tea tree oil in water and spray onto your scalp. How long did that take you!? I get this question a lot from strangers, whether they realise its real or not. It takes between 1.5 and 7 hours to put in a full head of dreads. Falls take about ten minutes. Why pay for custom or handmade dreads when machine made dreads like Elysee are so much cheaper? Elysee stars are made with glue, so you cannot wash them or re-seal them, they also only come in one length and style which you cannot alter as they will unravel. Elysee are fine for first time wearers if you want to get used to the dreads, or only wear them for a couple of days, but dont do well with long or repeated wear- they also tend to be a little shiny. They are cheaper however, so if you are not sure about dreads, it could be worth a try. Can I just have one or two dreads, rather than a full head? Yes, many people have accent dreads (just one or two) or partial installs, in which you leave hair loose around the dreads, you have to simply be careful when brushing your loose hair to get the dreads out of the way. How long does my hair have to be before I can install dreads? To braid in an install then hair should be three inches, however doctoredlocks have a great tutorial to install dreads in super short hair using a couple of elastic bands, for this you need no more than an inch. This can be found at the following address-

http://www.doctoredlocks.com/catalog/Super-Short.html What does DE and SE mean? Des are double ended dreads, they are twice the length that the dreadlock should be and tapered at each end, you install them by braiding on the fold in the middle of the dread, one side is unbraided. Ses are single ended, they have a loop at the top through which you pull your hair to secure it before braiding down the dread. I dont know which colour KK or dye will match my hair, what should I do? Most sellers will do their best to help you match the colour. They will know their dye and KK colours well, so if you send them a recent image of your hair, then they should be able to help you work out which colour will match best for you- if one is not available, some sellers will blend a colour for you specifically. How long do curly dreads stay curly? Curled dreads stay curled once they have been steamed to set the curl- this is the only way you can curl them! The curl may drop from

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

37 being very bouncy to a little loose over time, but this may not be very noticeable, and it is very easy to resteam curls. Can I use heated styling tools and hair products on my dreads? No! You must not use heat directly on your dreads, they are made of a plastic substance and will melt, this will ruin your dread and your styling tools! You should avoid all hair products on your dreads also, they will only serve to make them dirty and unpleasant. What is the difference between KK and Roving? Kanekalon is a plastic based synthetic hair fibre that is backcombed and sealed to look like dreadlocks. Roving or merino is wool that is felted to create dreadlock shapes. How long can I wear my dreads? Dreads can be worn for up to three months before changing, although it is generally recommended that after a month you take out your dreads to wash and detangle your hair to stop the growing roots from dreading naturally themselves. How long does it take to make a set of KK dreads for myself? A practiced dread seller can whip up a full set in a day if they need to, but it is hard work. Most people starting out take around 15 minutes to backcomb a dreadlock well, and tend to spread the work of making the locks out over a week to three weeks. Do the dreads have to match my hair colour? No! You can have your hair any colour you like and install dreads of any colour. Most dread wearers prefer their colour to match as it makes the dreads seem more realistic as it helps camouflage the braid. Do dreads hurt/harm/mess up your hair? No! Not at all, actually dreads can offer a respite to some girls since whilst wearing them you are not dying, bleaching, heat treating or adding any product to your hair, it is simply braided in. They do not, and cannot harm your hair in anyway. The worst thing that will happen is you may be a little greasy afterwards, but after one wash and a deep condition you will be fine! I always recommend a deep conditioning, just because its a nice thing to do for your locks! How do I blend KK? To blend KK, take two colours of kk, half the amount of each that you will need for a dreads. Stand up and putting the kk colours one in each hand, begin splitting the hair in two, and putting them back together, repeat and repeat until you have a blend you like. Make sure to do this enough that the strands of hair are split into many rather than still having a stripe of each colour, if you dont blend enough you will just end up with candy cane! I do not live in the US or the UK, can I still buy dreadlocks? Yes! Of course you can, there are many dread sellers all over the world, it is helpful to you to use google and H.E.F to find a dread seller in your area. In May 2011 this map http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1350956709709&set=o.203460716357500&typ e=1&ref=nf was started on facebook so as sellers there can tag themselves, this makes it easier for buyers to find sellers in their area. Simply take into consideration that in some countries costs of dreads can at times be higher since the materials are harder and more expensive to get hold of, and taxes and VAT are in place.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

38 Links list. Now I must stress I cannot link every dread seller, instead I will link a couple of great sites for supplies and tutorials, and I will link you to the sellers list on the Hair Extensions Forum, which as a site itself is link number one here. It is a resource for all sellers and wearers and a great community. Useful links http://www.hairextensionsforum.com/ A community of people all whom love dreads, there are many tutorials, sellers, and lots of lovely people to answer any questions you may have. http://www.hairextensionsforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=720 This is a link list to sellers and supplies, with a description of what they do and where they are based underneath, its very valuable though not everyone is on here and it cannot always promise to be up to date, it is a good start. http://www.hairextensionsforum.com/viewforum.php?f=27&sid=85047c9042fb45a4b28936e040 1a37fc This is a list of individual galleries for hair sellers, many of them have links to their shops in their signatures, or profile. If this fails, you can contact a seller by joining HEF and PMing the seller directly, though it should be mentioned that once you have joined, you cannot sell or trade until you have at least 60 posts under your belt. http://www.hairextensionsforum.com/viewforum.php?f=109 Reviews of many dread sellers, make sure you know who you are dealing with is a good seller! Has a non performing sellers list also. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_203460716357500 Hair extension society on facebook for those not a part of the forum, reviews and polls on many sellers performance, good to check out where you are getting your dreads from. http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com Authors hair blog for any questions on this text. Tutorials http://www.doctoredlocks.com A great hair website for dreads and other extensions as well as some supplies and many very useful video tutorials. http://www.youtube.com/user/DagGirl The queen of dreadlock tutorials Dag Girl/ RivetLicker, she is a very friendly and well known member of the dread community and her youtube tutorials are invaluable to new dread makers. http://quinnster.fqdn.net/ Where it began for many dread makers and enthusiasts, an informative and useful page about dreads, braids and other types of extension. Shop links http://www.beeunique.co.uk This link is more aimed towards dye and bleaching, but is very useful all the same. http://www.ikickshins.net/ A great place to buy your KK and dreads alike. Many accessories and a wonderful woman to deal with. USA based. Probably the best colour chart around.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

39 http://www.buyhair.co.uk/ UK based jumbo braid stockist. Many colours available. http://www.afrocare.com US based KK seller http://www.diversityhair.co.uk/shop/index.php another UK stockist of KK http://stores.ebay.co.uk/FORESTFIBRES UK Merino stockist http://www.facebook.com/tytodreads Tyto Dreads, wonderful dread seller, specialising in kk blends, sells roving also. http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001841503265 Saspie Doo dreads, wonderful and creative roving. http://www.facebook.com/PrettyDreadful Amazing dedicated KK dread seller. http://www.facebook.com/blacksunshineiw Lovely dread seller based in the Isle of Wight http://www.woolhairhabit.co.uk/ Dread maker specialising in Wool dreads and crochet natural style synth, talented indeed. Manchester based. www.dreadviolet.com Flawless KK dread seller

Many sincere Thanks to:Monique_may_marion , Tyto Dreads, Stinamoo, Saspie Doo, Sarah Watson, Pretty Dreadful, Black Sunshine, Dreadviolet, Scarlet Lady, Post-modernist Trash, Rivet Licker, Fairy Bunny, Shay Nuclear Wynter, Billy Bob Grenache, Woolhairhabit, Urban Synthetix, Jynx Dreads

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

40

Images used. 1. http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/9494/madi4.jpg Dreadfalls pretty dreadful (brown) 2. http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-aksnc3/13642_189644254619_700309619_3015492_1451823_n.jpg red install mkatsi 3. http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-aksnc3/20276_237296716595_100308276595_3812339_1964903_n.jpg Clip ins by Black Sunshine 4. http://kotisivukone.fi/files/dreadviolet.kotisivukone.com/.album/1197975788610_1_large.j pg 5. www.dreadviolet.com Monochrome dread wig by dreadviolet 6. http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/2341/alexis6w.jpg Single ended rainbow dreads by Pretty Dreadful. 7. http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b43/Aladdin_Insane/nattydreads004.jpg?t=130539132 9 Double ended natty/textured dread set by Mkatsi 8. http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-aksnc6/74315_103459399725443_100001841503265_24513_6024261_n.jpg Roving Saspie Doo 9. http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-aksnc6/225254_200723449966015_100000850836296_483188_6711312_n.jpg KK brown fall by Pretty dreadful 10. http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-aksnc6/37924_448950654619_700309619_5485439_1880897_n.jpg Natural blonde dreads by Jynx worn by Mkatsi 11. http://i610.photobucket.com/albums/tt181/woolhairhabit/006-12.jpg Brown crochet dreads by Woolhairhabit 12. http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ljqpfjgMN91qeim7vo1_400.jpg Wrappy Urban Synthetix dreads worn by mkatsi. 13. http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-aksnc6/166171_1469566793073_1650714298_1156103_1740990_n.jpg Knotty no seals, Woolhairhabit 14. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/elgynstoy/adorableDUMP035.jpg with weft By post modernist trash( http://www.facebook.com/billybob.mossman ) 15. http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-aksnc6/227395_128823230528375_120615994682432_199476_4684137_n.jpg Berry blends Tyto dreads. 16. http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-aksnc6/154641_103461146391935_100001841503265_24537_4097068_n.jpg transitional roving Saspie doo

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

41 17. http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-aksnc4/155687_167925056579188_100000850836296_302069_1650751_n.jpg Transitional KK pretty dreadful 18. http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-aksnc6/222168_126029457474419_120615994682432_182834_2240825_n.jpg Candy cane, Tyto dreads 19. http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-aksnc6/208596_122693911141307_120615994682432_160457_3505930_n.jpg Curled dreads, Tyto dreads 20. http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-aksnc4/163730_1469371308186_1650714298_1155258_7959832_n.jpg Wiggly dreads, Woolhairhabit 21. http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-aksnc4/40209_137504386287922_100000850836296_162600_5539530_n.jpg Leopard print patterned dreads by pretty dreadful 22. http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-akash2/75776_103461059725277_100001841503265_24534_5902431_n.jpg Aline Saspie Doo 23. http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-aksnc3/20837_127632483941779_100000850836296_122148_328199_n.jpg and http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-aksnc4/40264_10150240815640212_650200211_14316572_954617_n.jpg Camo falls made by Pretty dreadful and Worn by Shay Wynter. (http://www.facebook.com/S.Wynter) 24. http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-aksnc6/223427_10150298057434199_628614198_9679028_1824098_n.jpg Sectioned Hair By Saspie Doo (http://www.facebook.com/SaspieDoo) 25. http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f109/mushroompixie/SDC13953.jpg fairy bunny/love bunny wraps and beads. http://fairybunny.tumblr.com 26. http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-akash4/246846_174027435988133_100001426323118_469663_5048150_n.jpg 10 bags of KK by Tyto Dreads 27. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/elgynstoy/adorableDUMP058.jpg Boiling water to palm roll by Post Modernist Trash 28. http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-aksnc6/230685_10150309212779199_628614198_9780565_4995651_n.jpg Unspun roving by Saspie Doo 29. http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-aksnc6/227489_10150309213209199_628614198_9780571_7134515_n.jpg Torn and palm rolled roving by Saspie doo 30. http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b43/Aladdin_Insane/SDC13009.jpg Sea themed dreads By Tecnicolour Nacht, worn by Mkatsi 31. http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b43/Aladdin_Insane/SDC12473.jpg Blonde dreads, made by Jynx, styled in chopsticks by Mkatsi 32. http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-aksnc6/250670_174027565988120_100001426323118_469664_3482261_n.jpg Lilac KK, one bag, courtesy of Tyto Dreads Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

42

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com