Hey girl, hey! 💁🏾♀️ It’s your girl Jay, and if you’re new here—welcome to the family! And if you're one of my loyal besties, welcome back! Today, we’re diving into a long-awaited, highly requested tutorial: how to take down crochet braids the right way—especially if you want to reuse the hair.

I’ve done a bunch of tutorials on how to install crochet braids but never really talked about how to take them out. So today? We're fixing that. Grab your snacks, sis—because I’m giving you all the juicy details in long form so you can really see the process.

Why I’m Taking My Crochet Braids Out (Even Though They Still Look Good)

I know what you're thinking: “Jay, didn’t you just put those in?” Girl, yes! But I’m heading on vacation in two days, and I’m in the mood for something different. I’ve been rocking curly styles for the past couple of months, so it’s time to switch it up—maybe some sleek straight hair or even braids.

Even though this hair is still looking chef’s kiss, it’s time for a change. And since I plan to reuse this hair for boho knotless braids, I needed to be careful during the takedown.

Things to Know Before You Start the Takedown

Before we jump into the step-by-step, let’s cover a few basics:

🧠 There’s more than one way to take down crochet hair.

✂️ If you don’t plan to reuse the hair, you can just snip and slide.

♻️ If you do want to reuse it (like me!), you’ll need to be gentle and strategic.

Also, I always install my crochet with a braid pattern that includes two loose braids I tuck in at the end. That little detail makes my takedown process way easier.

Step-by-Step: How I Take Down Crochet Braids for Reuse

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1. Find the Loose Braid

Start by locating the two loose braids you tucked at the end of your install. If you followed my braid pattern, this step is going to make everything else go super smooth.

💡 No loose braid? No problem. You can still take it down—it just might take a little longer.

2. Start Unbraiding from the Loose End

Unbraid like you normally would. As you do, you’ll notice the crochet pieces start slipping out on their own. No tugging, no knots, no pulling—it’s that easy.

💬 Pro tip: Stack the crochet pieces in your lap or on a rack to keep them organized for reuse.

3. Skip the Knot Drama

One of the biggest takedown fears is dealing with knots—especially where the crochet thread is looped. But using this method? No knots, no hair loss, no breakage. Just smooth sailing.

4. Rinse and Prep for the Next Style

Once all the hair is out, you can wash and prep it for your next install. I’m saving mine for a set of boho knotless braids (yes girl, stay tuned for that!).

How Long Did It Take?

It only took me 35 minutes—and that was with a movie playing in the background (and me getting distracted like five times 😅). If you stay focused, you could probably knock it out in 15 minutes.

What I Love About This Method

✅ No damage to your natural hair
✅ Hair stays intact and reusable
✅ Minimal shedding or tangling
✅ Super beginner-friendly

Honestly, this is my go-to takedown method every time I want to save my crochet hair for later. The only time I tossed my crochet hair was when I chopped it into layers that couldn't be salvaged (we don’t talk about that round shape, okay? 😂).

Conclusion

I hope this tutorial helps make your crochet takedown easier, especially if you're trying to reuse your hair like a pro. I know there are other methods out there, but this one works best with my braid pattern and keeps the hair in great condition.

Don’t forget to subscribe and stick around because next up, we’re turning this same crochet hair into something boho and bomb! ✨

Thanks so much for watching (and now reading), and I’ll catch you in the next one. Bye girl! 💕

P.S. Look at my little peanut head! 😂

FAQs: Crochet Braid Takedown

1. Can I reuse crochet hair after takedown?
Absolutely! As long as you don’t cut it or tangle it during removal, you can wash it and reuse it for another style.

2. What tools do I need to take down crochet braids?
Just your fingers and some patience. You don’t need scissors unless you're not reusing the hair.

3. How do I avoid shedding when removing crochet hair?
Unbraid gently and avoid tugging. Keeping the braid pattern neat helps the hair slip right out.

4. Can I wash crochet hair after removing it?
Yes! Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner, then let it air dry completely before reusing.

5. What’s the best braid pattern for easy takedown?
A pattern that ends with two loose braids in the back or side makes the takedown a breeze.