Hey loves, it's Nicole from Nikki Smith Hair Collection! If you've been scrolling your feed lately, you've definitely seen Miracle Knots everywhere — and for good reason. This install gives you that soft, flowy, "is that her real hair?" finish without a lace, without glue, and without hours of individual braiding from root to tip. But the number one question I get in my DMs is always the same: how many bundles do I actually need?
Let me give you the short answer right up front: you will need 200 plus strands for a full, natural-looking Miracle Knots install. Now let's break down exactly what that means when you're shopping, so you don't come up short mid-install.
What Are Miracle Knots?
Miracle Knots are an individual knotting technique where each strand of pre-feathered human hair is knotted directly onto your own hair. Because every strand is applied individually, the hair moves freely, the roots look like they're growing straight from your scalp, and you can part it however you like. No wig cap, no lace to melt, no tension-heavy cornrow base.
The key to this style is the hair itself. You need strands that are already feathered at the tip so each knot blends seamlessly — which is exactly what our Feather Crochet Collection was made for. Every texture in the collection is 100% human hair, pre-feathered, and lightweight, so your install feels like nothing on your head.
Half the Braiding Time, Half the Weight
This is the part my clients fall in love with. Miracle Knots cut the braiding time in half. With traditional individual braids, your stylist is braiding all the way down every single strand, inch by inch, row after row — that's where the hours disappear. With Miracle Knots the hair is knotted at the root and left to fall free, so there's no braiding down the length at all. Same full, natural finish, in a fraction of the chair time.
Faster installation means you're not giving up your entire Saturday, and your stylist can fit you in more easily too. It also means less time sitting with tension on your scalp, which your edges will thank you for.
And because there's no braid tucked inside every strand, the finished style is noticeably lighter. Our feather crochet is pre-feathered and lightweight to begin with, so a full 200-plus-strand install still moves like your own hair instead of pulling on your roots or weighing down the back of your neck. That's a big deal if you've ever taken a heavy style down early just because you couldn't stand the weight anymore.
So How Many Bundles Do You Need?
Here's where the math matters. Our feather crochet hair comes in bundles of 50 strands each, and sets of 100 strands. Since a full Miracle Knots install takes 200 or more individual strands, here's how that shakes out:
- Two Sets (200 strands): This is the minimum for a full head. If you have a smaller head, finer natural hair, or you're going for a softer, more natural density, 200 strands will get you there.
- Two Sets plus a Bundle (250 strands): My sweet spot recommendation for most of my clients. That extra bundle of 50 gives you room for fullness around the crown and hairline, where density matters most.
- Three Sets (300 strands): If you love big, voluminous hair — especially with our Kinky Curly or Burmese Curly textures — or you're installing a longer 20-inch look, go with 300 strands. Longer hair needs more strands to look proportionally full.
My honest advice? Always order a little more than you think you need. Running out of hair at strand 190 with the back of your head unfinished is a heartbreak nobody deserves. Leftover strands can always be saved for touch-ups later.
Your Length Changes Everything
If you take one thing from this post, let it be this: length drives your strand count more than anything else. Here's what I tell my clients:
- Short styles, 14" to 18": 200 strands is usually enough for a full head.
- Medium to long, 20" to 22": Go up to 300 strands for better coverage through the extra length.
- Extra long or high volume, 24" and up: You'll want more than 300 so the style stays full and your cornrows never peek through underneath.
That last one is what people learn the hard way. Longer hair doesn't just add length — it pulls the volume down and spreads it out. What looked full at 16" can look thin and separated at 24" with the exact same amount of hair. And once your braid pattern is showing through, the whole style reads unfinished no matter how clean the install was.
Our Feather Crochet comes in 16" and 20", so most Miracle Knots clients land in the first two tiers. If you're chasing 24" and beyond, look at our bulk braiding hair instead — that's where the longer lengths live.
Two More Things That Move the Number
Your parting size. Smaller partings mean more rows, and more rows mean more strands. A tight, small-parted install for that natural, scalpy finish will run through your hair faster than a larger-parted style. If your stylist parts small, order on the higher end of your range.
Your head size and natural density. Simple, and nobody talks about it enough. A larger head circumference means more rows to cover. Very thick natural hair underneath can also need a little extra so the install blends smoothly instead of sitting on top of your own density.
Choosing Your Texture
The beauty of Miracle Knots is that the texture you choose completely changes the vibe. In our Feather Crochet Collection you'll find:
- Water Wave — springy, beachy waves with tons of movement
- Deep Wave — defined, glamorous waves that photograph beautifully
- Kinky Curly — that perfect natural coil pattern for a blended, grew-from-my-scalp look
- Burmese Curly — luxe, bouncy curls with serious volume
- Body Wave and Ocean Wave — soft, romantic waves in 20-inch lengths
If your natural hair has a tighter curl pattern, Kinky Curly and Kinky Straight blend the most seamlessly at the roots. If you're going for a wash-and-go wave moment, Water Wave and Deep Wave are the fan favorites.
What About Boho Braids and Bulk Braiding Hair?
Miracle Knots are counted in strands, which makes them easy to estimate. Other crochet styles count differently, so don't carry these numbers over:
Boho braids come as full braids with the curls left out, so you're counting braids, not loose strands. Each braid covers a defined section, which means your number depends almost entirely on your parting plan. Ask your stylist how many braids they're planning before you order, then shop our Boho Braids.
Bulk braiding hair is sold by weight and length rather than by strand, and it's what you'll use for feed-ins, twists, and hand-tied crochet work. It's also where you'll find our longer lengths. Your stylist will usually tell you how much their technique needs — browse our 100% Human Braiding Hair and Crochet Hair collection.
One Thing to Know Before You Order
Hair from different production runs can vary slightly in texture and tone. So if you buy 200 strands now and decide three weeks later that you want another 50, there's a chance they won't be a perfect match.
If you think you might need more, order it all together the first time. Same price, arrives together, and you skip the mid-install scramble.
Fast, Free Shipping — Always
Shipping is free on every order, no minimum and no code needed, and we ship fast with FedEx 3-day delivery. So when you book that appointment, your strands will be at your door with time to spare — no scrambling the night before, no paying extra just to get your hair on time.
Need it sooner or shopping close to your appointment date? Call or text us at 1-833-904-1267 and we'll make sure you're covered.
Get Inspired: See Miracle Knots in Action
Seeing the technique makes everything click. For a little style inspiration, check out this Miracle Knots install on TikTok — it shows how each strand is knotted individually and just how natural the finished look falls. Imagine that same style done with your favorite texture from our Feather Crochet Collection! And don't forget to follow us @nikkismithhair for hair tips, new texture drops, and more inspo.
Protect Your Install at Night
You invested in 200 plus strands of beautiful human hair — now protect that investment! The single most important nighttime habit is sleeping in a satin bonnet. Cotton pillowcases pull moisture out of the hair and create friction that causes frizz, tangling, and shedding at the knots. Our Black Silk Bonnet keeps every strand smooth, hydrated, and in place while you sleep, so your Miracle Knots stay looking freshly installed for weeks longer.
Slip it on every single night — your morning self (and your edges) will thank you.
Takedown: Water and Conditioner Is the Fastest Way
Do not sit there picking at dry knots. The fastest, gentlest takedown uses two things you already have: water and conditioner.
- Saturate the section. Spray it well with water so the knots soften instead of gripping.
- Load it with conditioner. A generous, slippery conditioner is what does the real work — it lets the knot slide loose instead of snapping your natural hair.
- Work in small sections. Slide each knot down and off with your fingers. Wet and conditioned, most of them release with barely any effort.
- Detangle as you go. Finger-detangle or use a wide-tooth comb on each section before moving to the next, so nothing has a chance to lock up.
- Wash and deep condition after. Once every knot is out, cleanse your scalp and follow with a deep conditioner to bring your natural hair right back to life.
Done this way, takedown goes quicker than most people expect — and you keep your length instead of leaving it in the sink.
Miracle Knots FAQ
How long does a Miracle Knots install take?
Much less time than traditional individual braids — because there's no braiding down the length of each strand, the technique cuts braiding time roughly in half. Plan for a few hours depending on your strand count and your stylist's speed.
Are Miracle Knots heavy?
No, and that's one of the biggest reasons people switch. With no braid inside each strand and our lightweight pre-feathered human hair, a full install stays light on your scalp and moves like your own hair.
Can I wash my hair with Miracle Knots in?
Yes! Since our feather crochet is 100% human hair, you can wash, condition, and style it. Just be gentle at the roots and let the knots dry fully.
How do I take Miracle Knots out?
Water and conditioner. Saturate a section with water, work in a slippery conditioner, then slide the knots loose with your fingers in small sections. It's much faster than dry takedown and far kinder to your natural hair.
How long does the style last?
With good nighttime care — hello, satin bonnet — a Miracle Knots install can last several weeks looking fresh.
Is 200 strands really enough?
For most heads at 14" to 18", yes — 200 strands is the baseline for full coverage. If you want extra volume, a longer 20" look, or you're getting small partings, size up to 250 or 300 strands.
How many strands do I need for 24-inch hair?
More than 300. At that length the volume spreads out and thins toward the ends, so you need extra strands to keep the style full and your cornrows covered. Our Feather Crochet runs 16" and 20", so for longer looks check our bulk braiding hair.
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes — free shipping on every order with fast FedEx 3-day delivery, so your hair arrives before your appointment.
Ready for Your Miracle Knots Moment?
Shop the full Feather Crochet Collection and grab your Black Silk Bonnet while you're at it — free shipping on every order, and it ships fast. And if you're not sure which texture or how many strands to order for your look, call or text us at 1-833-904-1267 — we're always happy to help you get it right the first time.
Talk soon,
Nicole 💕