A few questions from someone about to go dreadlock

Hello all,

I plan to make dreadlocks soon (using the backcombing method, no wax) and I have a few questions for you nice folks.

1. I want to make really thick dreads, I guess maybe 16-20 total. Are there things to pay attention to or watch out for when making thicker dreads?

2. My hair is very straight and only about neck/shoulder length (closer to neck than shoulder) -- should I wait a while longer before doing this or is there an advantage to knotting shorter hair?

3. I work in a conservative office and would like to buy a hat/tam to wear while at work -- can someone reference an online dealer who sells hats/tams which are good for someone with shorter dreads? (Also BTW I'm in the US, not that it much matters since most stores will ship internationally.) I know I could wear a normal sized tam but I don't really like having a loose baggy hat on my head, I'd rather have it fit sort of snug.

Thanks in advance for your responses!

 

I have thick backcombed locks (about 24.)
Seperate your hair evenly, or dont. Personally, mine vary a little in thickness, because I didnt want them uniform.

Just make sure the lock wont sit on akward places on your head. If one or two end up not very good, rip them in half when they're still young, and 1 uncomfortable big dread turns into 2 comfortable smaller dreads.

Hair length doesnt seem to matter all that terribly much.

 

nah, hair length dont really matter too much, my hair dreaded up ok and mine wasnt much longer than yours when i started. i will point out that the thicker your lock the more length you tend to lose in the back combing process and again when it starts to shrink.

heres a thought, save some money and just use the sleave of an old t-shirt as a wrap as you may not be able o wear a tam in the office. i do that and it looks all neat and tidy, well tidier than if it were let it down...it must be ok as ppl i work with havent said anything and there all middle age shirt and tie office folk...i actually got told by the managing director that he likes it more to when my hair was just long and straight ^____^

 

they will thicken up with age, unless of course you start them super super thin. all the hair that should fall out of your head, will get caught up in your dreads and fatten em up. also, if you let them 'hug' one another (as they like to do), you will get some congos. i have asian hair. it's is actually kind of wavy, but now i have some fat congos going on. my hair was also to the middle of my back when i started, but i know people start em shorter too with no issues. here are some pics..(mine turned a year in november)