To start locs I braided my 16 inch fro into tiny braids. To learn about the differences in locs, like Sisterlocks, Braid locs, Micro Locs and Traditional locs, see this article with a video included:
http://going-natural.com/Going-Locs/the-difference-between-braidlocs-sisterlocks-and-traditional-dreadlocks-explained.html