When it comes to hairstyles for Black women, yarn dreads are one of the prettiest and most fun to personalize. They’re also budget-friendly and low-maintenance. These are all qualities every lady wishes for her hairstyle, so why wouldn’t you try them?

Not familiar with yarn dreads? Plain and simple, they’re extensions made from different types of yarn that are easily braided into your natural hair to create faux dreadlocks. Women often choose a yarn dread hairstyle because it allows them to express their sense of creative and colorful style.

If you’re considering a new look or just want a stylish look for a special upcoming occasion, there are a few things to know before jumping into yarn dreads.

Pros of Yarn Dreads

• Yarn dreads will last between three and eight weeks, depending on how well you maintain them. This means you won’t have to worry about your next hairstyle for at least a little while.
• These come in a multitude of colors and can be as long or as short as you’d like. Since there’s so much room for personalization, you’ll never have to worry another lady has the same yarn dread hairstyle as you.

Cons of Yarn Dreads

• Drying your yarn dreads is probably the most time-consuming piece of maintaining this hairstyle. While they may be easy to wash, they can take awhile to dry, depending on their length. You’ll want to aim to dry them completely within 12 hours. If they stay wet any longer, they run the risk of growing mildew.
• Some women have reported their dreads collecting lint. You can prevent this by not rocking the hairstyle in the winter months when there’s more static in the air. Static is what will attract lint and trap it in your locs.
• Normally, the fact that there is more than one type of yarn dread would be a good thing. However, women who have tried this hairstyle before recommend acrylic yarn dreads, not wool since it can be drying.