Three-Strand Braid

• This is the classic and easiest braid. To achieve it, knot the strings together at the top and secure them down using a clipboard, masking tape or a safety pin. Take the right-hand strand and put it in between the other two strands. Now take the left-hand strand and put it in between the other two. Continue like this. Start loose, then experiment with the tension to see how tight you want your braid to be. Knot strands together to finish.
  
  

Four-Strand Braid

• This one is also very easy. Knot strands together at top and secure them down. Try having one color for the outside two strands and one color for the inside two. Cross the two middle strands, right over left. Take the two outer strands and cross them in the middle, right over left. Continue like this.
  
  

12 Strand Braid

• This one is a little bit more advanced -- practice with some simpler braids first. Ultimately, though, braiding with many strands isn't hard, it just takes some practice. For a 12-strand braid, try pinning your strands down with a clipboard below the knot you make in the top. Arrange the strands more or less parallel to one another, so that you can see each one clearly, and see the order they are in. Take the strand furthest on the left and pass it over eight strands. Then pass it under the last three strands it just went over. Now it's in the middle. Do the same with the strand farthest on the right: over eight, under three. Continue like this, alternating with the left and right outer strands.
  
  

Finger-Weaving

• Finger-weaving can be done with any larger number of strands (at least six). Secure your strands and lay them out as with the other methods. Then, simply weave them toward the middle, over one, under one. Don't weave them all the way across -- stop when you get to the middle. Try alternating the two colors for this type of braid.