Yep, your journey will be longer to get mature dreads, but you still can. Never crochet again, do no maintenance except for washing and separating any sections trying to join together.
The first year, they won't look like dreads, they will be fuzzy from the broken hairs, but in time those hairs will get sucked into the dread. They will loop and zig zag while on their journey, at times they will look messy. This is the patience part. With time, and inner strength, you will be rewarded with beautiful mature dreads (might take you 2 years due to crochet), but it will be worth it. If you want your dreads for years to come, or for life, then let them be, find your inner strength and put up with the crazy things it will do to get there for you. Never give in and change what they are doing, it will all be a natural process they need to go through.. We are all glad that you found this site now...I think it is the best one on the web...
Hang in there and enjoy the ride. .....Peace
Oh yeah, don't you just love Soaring Eagles dreads! All natural baby, all natural!