Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Pulling on
• Method 2 of 3: Using hairpins and hair ties
• Method 3 of 3: Using thread
• What do you need
• When broaching, you will need
• When using hairpins and elastic bands, you will need
• When using thread, you will need

Dreadlocks can be decorated in many different ways, but the Cowrie shells are among the most popular. There are several ways you can put shells on your dreadlocks.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Pulling on

1. 1 Take a bunch of dreadlocks. The bundle should be thin enough to fit into the narrow slot of the shell. Avoid choosing a bun much thinner than the scallop cut, as the scallop can weigh down your hair and weaken your dreadlocks.
   • In addition, it will be much easier to use a bunch of dreadlocks with a hard end than with a weak and sparse one.
2. 2 Place the tip in the center of the shell. Place the tip of the dreadlock into the cut of the shell and pull it through.
   • You can use your fingernail to push through the dreadlocks, but if you are having difficulty doing so, use a long toothpick or pen to pull the tip of the dreadlocks.
   • Pull the dread out through the sink, leaving about 5cm of hair sticking out on the outside.
3. 3 Wrap the dreadlocks around the sink again. Use your fingers to wrap the tip of the dreadlock over the shell and pull it back through the front of the shell.
   • The tip of the dreadlock should be positioned over the front opening of the shell in the same way as before. The tip of the dreadlocks forms a full loop around the top of the cowrie.
4. 4 Thread a bunch of dreadlocks through the center of the sink again. As before, thread your hair through the slit in the sink.
   • Since you will be passing your hair through a hole that already has a lock in it, you will probably need a toothpick or pen.
   • Make sure the dreadlocks are tightly wrapped around the cowrie body.
5. 5 Repeat the process as desired. One cowrie shell is successfully attached to the dreadlocked tuft. You can repeat this process with as many shells as you like.
   • Since cowrie shells are attached to the tip of the dreadlock, you can only attach one shell to each strand.
   • This method is the simplest, and it will also keep your hair style for a long time.

Method 2 of 3: Using hairpins and hair ties

1. 1 Find a tight bun. Use a dreadlock with a firm tip. In other words, the dreadlocks should be tight and tight at the end. Do not use dreadlocks with a flowing tip.
   • Choose a dreadlock that is thick enough to fit the cowrie shell. The bunch of dreadlocks should be thin enough to fit through the hole in the shell, but not too thin to support the weight of the shell. This method is good when using thin dreadlocks.
2. 2 Secure the dread with a hairpin. Thread the hairpin through the dreadlocks and slide forward until the dreadlocks touches the bend of the hairpin.
   • The tip of the dreadlocks should protrude about 2.5 cm from one side of the hairpin.
3. 3 Turn the pin. Rotate the pin between your thumb and forefinger three or four times. The hair should be wrapped around the hairpin.
   • Strands of dreadlocks should wrap around themselves and from this the hair begins to "rise" or stretch along the hairpin.
4. 4 Insert the pin into the hole in the shell. Pass it through the hole in the sink.
   • Make sure you pull enough hair - 2.5 to 3.75 cm across the entire sink.
5. 5 Secure your hair with a small elastic band. Bend the tip of the dreadlock towards the top of the shell body, pulling it towards the main body of the dreadlock. Tie the tip of the dreadlocks and the strand of the dreadlocks together tightly with a small elastic band.
   • The small elastic will be easier to work with as it requires less twisting, but one should be large enough to fit the cowrie shell.
6. 6 Repeat the process as desired. You have successfully put a Cowrie Shell on your Dreadlock. Repeat the procedure with other dreadlocks until you are happy with the result.
   • Remember that you can only attach one cowrie shell to one dreadlock.
   • This was another easy way. Depending on how tightly you wrap the cowrie around the dread, the hairstyle may last longer than the pull method.

Method 3 of 3: Using thread

1. 1 Thread the sewing needle. Choose the color of the thread that best matches your hair color.
   • You need to cut off the thread approximately 15 cm in length.
   • Tie a large enough knot at the end of the thread. This knot will prevent the threads from slipping through the dreadlocks.
2. 2 Take a strand of dreadlocks. You should choose the dreadlocks based on the quality of the strand and the thickness to match the size of the shell cut.
   • Choose a dreadlock that is visible from the outside. The exact location of the dreadlocks is a matter of personal preference.
   • The dreadlock should be strong enough to support the weight of the shell and thin enough to fit through the hole.
   • For best results, use a dreadlock with a hard tip and avoid dreadlocks with weak and partially loose ends.
3. 3 Thread the dreadlock through the shell. Place the tip of the dreadlock into the hole in the shell and use your fingernail to thread it through.Thread the dreadlocks through the sink, leaving the tip sticking out 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm).
   • You can use your fingernail to push the dread out, but if it turns out to be tricky, use a long toothpick, pen, or bent paperclip to pull the tip of the dread into the hole in the shell.
4. 4 Tie a knot. Tie the tip of the dreadlock in a simple, loose knot just above the top of the cowrie.
   • The knot doesn't have to be special. The most common knot is just above the top of the cowrie.
5. 5 Thread the needle through your hair. Thread the thread through both ends of the hair (tip and body) and wrap a few times to secure the hair securely.
   • Thread the needle through the dreadlock.
   • Wrap the needle around the dreadlocks and return to the starting point. This will complete the stitch.
   • Repeat the steps a few times and make sure the stitch is securely enough.
6. 6 Tie a thread. After the cowrie is securely attached to the tip of the dreadlocks, tie the string to a knot. Cut the thread just above this knot to remove the needle from your hair.
   • As before - the usual knot on top will be enough.
   • Cut the tail of the thread as close to the knot as possible so that the tip cannot be seen.
7. 7 Repeat the process as desired. You have successfully strung a cowrie shell onto the dreadlocks. You can repeat the procedure with other dreadlocks.
   • You can only attach one shell to each strand.
   • This method is more complicated, but the result lasts longer than with the previous methods.

What do you need

When broaching, you will need

• Cowrie shells
• Long toothpick

When using hairpins and elastic bands, you will need

• Cowrie shells
• Hair pins
• Small hair ties

When using thread, you will need

• Sewing needle
• The thread of any destination
• Cowrie shells
• Long toothpick, pen, or bent paperclip