No knitting this week, sorry.
This blog seems to get a lot of hits from people who Google “Chinese bun,” 
“hair bun” or somesuch. I posted a photograph that someone took of me last year, in which I am wearing my hair in a Chinese bun, held with a double-pointed knitting needle, and this seems to be generating those hits. So, I though that I would post a tutorial, to help out anyone who’s trying to figure out how to do this neat bun.
This is an “updo” that is very stable, distributes the weight of the hair well (if that is a concern for you) and really stays put. Once I put my hair up in this type of bun for the day, I rarely need to touch it until I’m ready to take it down for the night.
Tutorial
1. Put your hair into a regular, somewhat loose, ponytail.
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2. Stick a hairstick (or DPN, if you like!) through the hair behind the base of the ponytail. This is between the ponytail holder and your scalp.
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3. Now divide the ponytail in half…
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4. …and lift both halves over their respective ends of the hairstick.
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The result looks like this. This is the foundation for the bun.
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5. At this point, I like to twist one side a bit, pull it around to the front, and clip it to my shirt (or hold it in my teeth) to keep it out of the way.
Pick up the other side and start twisting it until it begins to kink,* and start guiding it around the outside of the ponytail foundation you have already made.
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6. I like to lay the twisted section of hair over the top of the unused section the first time I go around the bun, and then pull it under the second time. I think that this makes a neater, more symmetrical bun.
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7. Pin the first half in place, hiding the ends.
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8. Now pick up the second half and begin twisting it in the opposite direction. As it twists, let it coil around the base of the bun.
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9. Tuck in the ends and pin in place. All done!
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*My hair is quite straight and fine, and therefore slippery. I have to use lots of twist to make it stay put in any updo. If your hair is curly or more coarse, you might not need to twist it so much.
Lynn, I’m going to send this tutorial to Liz … her hair is growing out quickly, and this is right up her alley.
Just read a Ravelry post (fave shawls), and had to tell you that you have AMAZING hair. Hubby bought a Harley a couple of years ago, and I am working on my biker chick hair. I have to braid it at night, or secure it to the top of my head somehow so I don’t strangle myself in my sleep. What do you do with yours at night?
[...] Why yes, that is a knitting needle you see in my hair! It’s a size 8 Clover bamboo DPN. If you would like to view a tutorial on this hairstyle, please visit this page of my blog. [...]
I have just used your instructions, linked from Ravelry, to make one of these to wear at my cousin’s wedding. Thank you so much for them! It saved me several hours in the hairdressers (and many pounds), and it looked beautiful!
I found this entry through a Google search, and I have to say, it was very helpful for me. I hadn’t been able to find a way to make a balanced looking updo, without assistance or a while pile of pin. The photos and instructions were very useful and the end result was lovely. Thanks!
I am so happy i found your post and your instructions
! Ty ty! It s quite easier than i had ever expected! You made my day!
Wow! Wonderful Tutourial, Looks Easier To Do Then I Thought!
Where Do You Get Your Stick Thingy, Or Is Is A Knitting Needle?
By The Way, Your Hair So Nice (:
.. x
Wow! how easy and pretty! thanks
Wow! Very pretty. My hair isn’t as long but it worked great! I used a Chinese chopstick instead of a Hair stick. Thanks!
thank you so much for the tips on how to make a bun.. I have a long hair too and sometimes I don’t know what hairstyle is good for me and this helped me find a way to have an impressive hairsytle
I was thinking char siu bao…but the hair version is lovely.