Gone are the days of traditional cornrows where everyone’s hairstyle looked similar. Now, thanks to the creativity of Black hairstylists across the globe, Black women can now proudly wear a new cornrow style called “Stitch Braids”.
This hairstyle is more intricate and takes an elevated braiding skill to achieve.
You may need to work with a hairstylist that’s experienced with this hairstyling technique if you want your hairstyle to turn out exactly like the picture. Otherwise, you may end up posting a “what I ordered vs. what I got” social media post. Beginners can do stitch braids, but it takes a whole lot of practice. Make sure you have the patience and determination for this style because it is not a 5-minute easy style to do. It will pay off and feel so good once you finally get it down.
How do you make stitch braids?
Like any other cornrow hairstyle, you will need kanekalon hair which will be fed into the hair as the hairstylist braids along the hair track.
To achieve a smooth look, you will need a hair gel to define the edges and a holding mousse to tame flyaways and get a smooth and shiny look.
How long do stitch braids last?
These hairstyles can last anywhere from two weeks to 6 weeks, depending on how you maintain your hair at night. Covering your hair with a bonnet and scarf is essential to making your style last longer. If your hair grows fast, the stitch braids may not last as long and will need to be taken out sooner. New growth can make stitch braids frizz and look sloppy, so once your new growth starts coming in, you know soon it’s going to be time to take them down.
What is the difference between stitch braids and traditional cornrows?
Stitch braids and traditional cornrows look very similar to each other. The stitch braid requires you to use more of your fingers to create the “stitch” look and it requires a more precise part. The difference is very subtle, but the stitch braids have a more distinct look to them and require more work of your fingers and more product to keep the style from frizzing.
Ponytail Stitch Braids Hairstyles
Mohawk Stitch Braids Ponytail
Mohawk styles are all the rage, and you can get so creative with them.
You can create this mohawk stitch braid style by using 1-2 packs of hair depending on your preferred length.
Red Stitch Braids
Ask your hairdresser to braid red hair into your stitch braids to get a look like this.
High Bun Stitch Braids
Sometimes you just want a low-key look that doesn’t require much upkeep. Wrapping your hair into a bun is the best way to get a cute style, that you can just unwrap your scarf and go.
High Ponytail Stitch Box Braids
Sometimes you want something dramatic that grabs attention. This style is meant to do the trick.
Stitch Braids Updo
This style is classy and perfect for a wedding or work event.
Half up Half down with Crochet
Make sure to have crochet hair to create this half up half down bun style.
High Pony Stitch Braids
Thicker stitch braids go so well with a high ponytail and box braids.
Stitch Braids with a Curly Ponytail
To get the gorgeous curls for this style, ask your hairstylist to feed crochet hair into the braids.
Half Up Bun Stitch Braids
Make sure to have a pack of blonde braiding hair, and brown to complete this half and half look.
Curly Half Ponytail
Some styles just look better with a little curl in them!
Two-toned stitch braids
Braid this hair into your natural hair, then wrap it into a bun for a bright look.
Star Part Stitch Braids
Add a little style and creativity to your style by getting creative with the parts and creating stars
Zigzag Stitch Braids
Yes, you can do stitch braids in a straight line, but this is so much more fun!
Thick and Thin Stitch Braids
You can even get creative with the size of the braids and have multiple sizes at once.
Stitch braids with designed baby hair
Use an edge brush to create elaborate baby hairs in front of your stitch braids.
Stitch Braids with Curls
To add curls to your braids, make sure to grab some of this crochet curly hair and have the hairstylist include them in with the braids
Topknot and High Pony
There is, of course, more than one way to wear your stitch braids in a high ponytail.
Stitch braids with reverse braid
Nope, your braids do not have to all be facing one direction. This is so much cuter!
Reverse Braid high bun
Adding a reverse braid to this hairstyle gives it such a regal look.
Honey brown Stitch Braids
This may seem like a simple color, but with the right hairstyle, it can turn into something extra special.
Beaded Stitch Braids
Is your style not loud enough for you? Add some beads at the end and no one will be able to ignore it.
Zigzag Part stitch braids
For the curls, you’ll need the right hair. For the zigzag part, you’ll need the right hairstylist.
Curly high bun
For this special bun, you’ll need special hair to create the curls.
Triangle Part Stitch Braids
A part like this requires a lot of precision, a steady hand, and tons of talent. If your hairstylist can do this, make sure to tip them well!
Red Bun and Box braids
Braid in some red braiding hair to create this colorful style if you’re not ready to dye your natural hair
Curly Ponytail
All you need for this style is the perfect ponytail.
Geometric Part Stitch Braids
Get creative with your parts when you get stitxh braids done!
Jumbo and Micro stitch braids
There’s no need to choose between micro stitch braids and jumbo braids. Just get both!
Pretty in Pink braids
Add some wooden beads to the end of your pretty pink hair just for something extra special.
Stitch braids with a wrap ponytail
To achieve this look. just take one or two braids, wrap them around your ponytail, and secure with bobby pins.
Double Bun stitch braids
A style like this will keep your hair in place, and it works for any occasion.
Mini Triangle Parts
You don’t have to part your whole head in the same fashion. You can do something like this, and only part one or two sections of your hair differently.
Criss Cross Stitch Braids
Criss cross braids can only be created from the hands of a seriously talented hairstylist.
Curved Stitch Braids
Curvy braids are all the rage these days as hairstylists grow and get better with their work.
Medium Braids with High Bun
There’s nothing wrong with going with a simple stitch braid style once in a while.
Stitch Braids with Oversized Bun
Don’t forget to secure your bun with bobby pins to get this full look.
Swirled Stitch Braids
This is such a fun and gorgeous way to style stitch braids
Peek of Pink stitch braids
Add some subtle touches of pink to your stitch braids with braiding hair that is fun enough to create a look like this.
Micro and Medium Stitch braids
Your stitch braids do not all have to be the same size for them to be cute.
Curly Pony Stitch Braids
Use both braiding hair and crochet hair to make this dreamy curly ponytail style.
Blonde Streaks and Bun
Use some blonde braiding hair and braid it into your natural hair to create the streaks in the stitch braids.
All-Back Stitch Braids Hairstyles
Blue Ended Braids
Navy blue is a great color to add to a braided style.
Micro and Medium Straight Back Braids
This is a great style because you can also put them into two ponytails or buns to switch it up.
Blonde Ends
This whole style is a look from top to bottom.
Braided Half Up Ponytail
Just because the braids are braided onto the scalp doesn’t mean you can’t still do a half up half down style
Jumbo Straight Back
Jumbo braids look so well as a straight-back style and they look good on everyone.
Small Arrow Parts
It’s the skill for me! It’s not often you see parts in the shape of arrows.
Mini Connecting Braids
Connect your jumbo braids and your microbraids instead of having them separate. They both look great, but this is so much more fun.
Swirly Mini Braids
Our hair can sometimes tell a story. What are these swirly braids telling us?
Zig Zag Mini Braids
Braids are amazing because there are so many things we can do with them because of their versatility.
Mixed Sized Stitch Braids
Technically we can call these straight-back braids, but they have a mind of their own.
Medium zig-zag part
This looks amazing with the zigzags large, and the braids small. It works so perfectly.
Straight back Zigzags
Zigzag parts are really popular with stitch braids because they are easier to do and they’re simply fun to create.
Multiple Part Style Stitch Braids
Some styles can also have multiple styled parts and still look fantastic.
Stitch Braids with Colored Ends
Adding a small pop of color doesn’t always have to mean using the brightest pinks and blues you can find. A simple brown can still add a pop of color and personality.
Large Zigzag Part
Your braids can go straight back but your parts don’t have to!
Uneven Part Stitch Braids
There’s something about a not so simple part that really ties a hairstyle together. It takes really skilled hands to create this.
Asymmetrical Part
The best part of natural hair is the many of ways we can create new things with our hair.
Curved straight back braids
If you want to add some flair to your style but also keep it simple, you can simply curve the braids but let them hang straight back.
Half Stitch Braids
You can choose to do a half stitch braid style such as this and let your natural curls hang loose. It’s like the best of both worlds.
Flowing Stitch Braids
There are so many beautiful ponytail styles for these braids, but they look just as gorgeous when you let them flow down your back.
Stitch Braids with hair chopsticks
Accessorize your stitch braids by adding some hair chopsticks and hoop earrings.
Large Stitch Braids
Not all braided styles have to have braiding hair blended into them. There’s nothing wrong with just rocking your natural hair.
Double ‘X’ Braids
There’s nothing simple at all about this elaborate style. It’s perfect for the outgoing extroverts.
Straight Backs and a Bun
It’s sometimes a hassle to fix your hair up in the morning, but with your stitch braids ending in a low bun, you won’t have to do much to touch it up.
Simple Straight Back Stitch Braids
Stick to the classics and enjoy medium stitch braids that go straight back
Side Bun Stitch Braids
Side buns never go out of style, and they look good on everyone!
Curly Ends Stitch Braids
With a style like this, you definitely want to make sure to cover your hair at night to make it last as long as possible.
Blonde bun
There’s always a creative way to add a new color to your hairdo. Blonde is a very popular color because it works for everyone.
Colored Ends
Just adding color to your ends is sometimes the best way to introduce yourself to adding color to your hair. Work your way up to having a full head of color by doing the ends first.
One streak of color stitch braids
Once in a while, you only need a tiny streak of color in your look to show your personality.
Subtle color Stitch Braids
Sometimes a subtle pop of color is all you need!
Burgundy Stitch Braids
This is a great color for people whose jobs don’t allow “unnatural” hair colors, but still want to add some color to their look.
Pink stitch braids
Grab some pink braiding hair and you can create these gorgeous braids yourself. Make sure to ask the stylist to braid the pink in with your natural hair.
Medium straight back stitch braids
This size of braids is one of the most common but it’s a classic.
Knee-length Stitch braids
It’s the length for me! There’s nothing wrong with braids that almost touch your toes.
Six Straight back stitch braids
Six straight back is such a simple style, but it always looks good no matter what.
Straight back mini bun
Simply have your stitch braids tied up into a small bun, and add a little pop of color as well.
Multi-size straight back stitch braids
We’ve seen so many gorgeous ponytails, buns, and more stitch braids, but there’s nothing wrong with braiding them straight back once in a while.
X-design Stitch braids
This style is definitely a treasure and X marks the spot!