In most cases, African kids hairstyles are made of three or more strands that are interlaced. This process is known as weaving. However, in some cases, a single strand of hair can be used to create a pattern. This is called a braid. The most common type of braid is a flat, three-stranded structure that is formed by zigzagging each component strand forward through the overlapping mass of the others.

In addition to interlacing strands of hair, braid patterns can be made wider by adding more components (such as additional strands of hair or fibers).

Braid patterns can be made longer or shorter, depending on the desired look.

In addition to forming the braid, the weaver can add other elements to it, such as decorative items, color, or other styling elements.