Crochet Locs with Human Hair Curls: Styles, Materials, and Care
Crochet locs are loc-style extensions hooked onto a braided base, which gives the loc look without the years-long commitment of growing real locs. On Ywigs, the pre-looped loc products combine synthetic loc bodies with real human-hair curls: the loc itself is a synthetic braid that holds its shape, and only the exposed curls are human hair. The listings state that these locs are not suitable for washing or dyeing, so the care routine focuses on the scalp and the part lines rather than the locs themselves.
At-a-Glance
- What: loc-style pieces hooked onto a braided base
- Materials: synthetic loc body with human-hair curls (check the listing)
- Look: locs without the wait; curly ends optional
- Care: clean the scalp through the part lines; do not wash or dye the locs
- Key rule: follow the care limits on the specific listing
What Crochet Locs Are — Locs Without the Wait
Crochet locs use ready-made loc pieces attached to cornrows with a latch hook. Each piece is a pre-formed loc with a loop or strand that hooks into the base, and the finished style reads as locs from a distance and up close. The pieces come in several finishes: smooth locs, textured locs, locs with curly ends, and boho-style locs with looser curls through the length.
The format is the main advantage. Real locs take months or years to form and require a locking routine; crochet locs install in a session and remove in a day. That makes them a practical way to test whether a loc look fits your face, routine, and lifestyle before committing to the real thing.
The material split matters more than the name. A product called "locs with human hair curls" is not an all-human loc: the braided body is synthetic, and the human hair appears only in the exposed curls. Read the listing for the exact materials, because the care rules follow the synthetic body, not the curls.
The Loc Body vs the Curls — Materials Explained
The two parts of a crochet loc behave differently. The synthetic body holds the loc shape with no styling work: it stays defined, keeps its silhouette, and does not need the moisture routine that human hair requires. The human-hair curls, where present, add movement and a softer finish, but they are only a small part of each loc and they follow the product's care limits along with the rest of the piece.
Ywigs' pre-looped boho locs with human hair curls is described on the listing as synthetic braids with real human-hair curls, and the page notes the locs are not suitable for washing or dyeing. Ywigs' goddess locs crochet hair carries the same washing and dyeing restriction. That restriction is the specification that drives the care routine, so it comes before any general loc-care advice.
The practical takeaway: treat the locs as a shape-holding synthetic style, refresh the curls within the listing's limits, and keep all washing on the scalp and part lines.
Crochet Locs vs Real Locs — Commitment Compared
The real comparison is about time and upkeep, not just appearance. Real locs are a permanent style decision with a formation period; crochet locs are a removable install with a set wear window. Both need scalp care, but the routines and the exit options are different.
| Comparison | Crochet locs | Real locs |
|---|---|---|
| Install time | One session | Months to years of formation |
| Commitment | Removable set | Long-term style |
| Scalp access | Limited; wash through part lines | Direct, regular washing |
| Removal | Take down the base | Locking in, rarely undone |
| Change of look | Swap the set | Grows with you |
The wear window also differs. Crochet locs are a long-wear style that should be removed when the roots feel pulled or the base shows stress; Real locs have no removal window, but they still need a healthy scalp to form well.
Choosing Curly Ends and Finishes
The finish is where crochet locs get their personality. Straight locs read clean and sculpted; locs with curly ends add a soft, boho detail; and boho locs with curls through the length give movement and a looser silhouette. The choice changes the look and the refresh routine—curly ends need a light mist and finger separation within the product's limits, while smooth locs stay neat with less work.
The faux locs crochet guide explains the range of finishes and how each one is installed. Match the loc size to the base and the face: small locs read dense and detailed but take longer to install; large locs install faster and make a bolder statement but carry more weight per piece. The reference image should show the loc size, the part, and the end treatment, because two styles with the same name can differ on all three.
How Much Crochet Loc Hair You Need
The amount depends on the loc size, the length, the base density, and the head size. Pre-looped loc products are sold by the set or the strand count, so the unit on the listing is the first thing to check. The Ywigs boho locs page notes that a full head usually takes about 72–96 locs, which gives a concrete starting point for that product; other sets list their own piece counts.
Order all the hair for one install together so the color and texture come from the same batch, and keep the packaging until the install is done, so any exchange stays possible. Ywigs' pack count guide for human hair crochet gives starting points for other crochet formats, and the installer confirms the final count after seeing the reference image. The base pattern also changes the count: a full head of cornrows with locs on every row needs more pieces than a style with locs only on the top half.
Caring for Crochet Locs
The care routine starts with the care limits on the listing: these locs are not suitable for washing or dyeing, so the locs themselves are never soaked or washed. Use a no-rinse scalp cleanser, or apply a very small amount of diluted shampoo only along accessible part lines, and avoid soaking the loc bodies; follow the product listing if it gives stricter instructions. Dry the roots completely, because moisture trapped at the base is the fastest route to odor and irritation.
Refresh the exposed curls within the product's limits—a light mist and finger separation can re-form the curl pattern where the listing allows it, but the synthetic body should not be heat-styled or treated like human hair. Protect the style with satin at night and keep long locs gathered so they do not rub flat. Ywigs' crochet boho locs collection holds the ready-made sets for the next install.
Plan removal when the roots feel pulled, the base shows stress, or the hairline feels sore. Take each piece out from below the base, undo the cornrows gently, and follow with a clarifying wash and deep condition so the natural hair resets before the next style.
Styling Crochet Locs
Crochet locs style like locs within the limits of the base and the material. A low gather at the nape reads polished for work; a half-up style frames the face while the length stays down; and a crown wrap coils the locs around the head for events. Because the pieces are attached to cornrows, the gathers should be loose enough not to pull the base, and the pins should come out at night.
The finish changes the styling range. Smooth locs hold sleek gathers with clean lines; locs with curly ends add movement to half-up and ponytail looks but need the curls refreshed before styling. Beads or cuffs can be added above the ends, and satin scrunchies keep gathers from creasing. One set covers the week by switching the gather and the accessories.
Editorial note: the material and care details in this guide were checked against the Ywigs listings at the time of writing; the current listing overrides any general advice.
Crochet Loc Questions, Answered
Are crochet locs made of human hair?
It depends on the product. On Ywigs, the pre-looped loc styles combine synthetic loc bodies with human-hair curls, so the loc itself is not all-human. Check the material statement on the listing before ordering.
Can I wash crochet locs with human hair curls?
No, for the Ywigs pre-looped locs—the listings state they are not suitable for washing or dyeing. Clean the scalp through the part lines instead, and follow the care limits on the specific listing.
Do crochet locs damage natural hair?
They can cause stress when the base is tight, the pieces are heavy, or the style is worn too long. Comfortable tension and gentle removal reduce the risk.
How long can I wear crochet locs?
Most sets last several weeks with care. The removal follows the roots and comfort rather than a fixed date.
Can I style crochet locs into updos?
Yes. The locs can be gathered into buns, ponytails, and half-up styles. Keep the gathers loose so the roots stay comfortable, and remove the pins at night.
Bottom Line
Crochet locs give the loc look without the years-long commitment, and the Ywigs versions pair a synthetic loc body with human-hair curls for movement. Read the material and care limits on the listing first, clean the scalp without soaking the locs, and remove the set when the roots tell you it is time.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology – Hairstyles that pull can lead to hair loss: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/causes/hairstyles
