Pavo Espalier Lilac

First off, a little bit of Espalier Lilac geekery. Below is a photo post wash, pre iron. Notice the cool texture that has popped out from the wash? Pretty awesome. I LOVE the tiny intricate box weave in Espalier. It looks like a little parquet floor. The texture obviously calms down a lot after a nice steam iron, but maintains the grainy sort of feel. I don't know if it would be for everyone, but I think this wrap has such a unique texture. It's thin and airy, but yet there's something that feels substantial about it.

As usual, I prefer the wrong side out of this wrap a lot. It features more of the purple colour, and it's such a bright, fresh lilac colour. So perfect for the warmer months! (When those get here, just let me know and I will venture outside). Here's a great photo to showcase the weave on that side.

I wasn't expecting the wrapping qualities at all. I'd assumed since it was described as airy and thin that I would have aching shoulders and tons of saggy wrapping. Instead, this wraps really solidly, with tons of support and feels much softer on my back and shoulders. It is probably one of my favorite wraps for FWCC or reinforced kangaroo. It just stays where you wrap it, there isn't a ton of bounce- just enough to be comfortable without feeling like baby is slowly drooping.

I found that when wrapping the passes would glide very easily. I'm not sure if this was because size 5 is my favorite length for a wrap and my arms don't struggle at all, but I think it probably had more to do with the profile of the wrap. You are not fighting with crazy thick texture, nor are you trying to pull a sticky, creamy feeling wrap over a baby stuck to your back.

This wrap really felt like something I would recommend to a new wrapper. Thin; for ease of wrapping. Stretch; because it just helps when you are learning how to adjust a wrap if it gives a little bit. Support; you need a good supportive wrap when you're starting off. I would also recommend this to someone who has been wrapping for a while, because they would enjoy these qualities as well- unless they were into thicker wraps. In hand, the light and airy feeling of espalier might scare someone who is used to much thicker wraps. I'm telling you, it's a mystery as to where this supportiveness comes from! But, it's definitely there.

I like to always come up with some negatives, just to keep it real, but I can't really think of any. I guess the weave might turn some people off, it does have a bit of a burlap sack feeling to it that will probably never really soften up, but that's the best I can do.

My favorite carries with this wrap were front carries, but I think it would shine in a lovely DH as well. I know others who have had shorties in this wrap and they've also loved it. So, all around great summery wrap.

Are you going to join me in raving about Espalier? I'm almost thinking I need to get that Camellia colour back...

Pavo Espalier Lilac
Ecru/lilac
100% cotton (with mercerized cotton)
Size 5