Pavo Fable Lilac

Pavo's Fable Lilac is a diamond in the rough. It's a wrap that I epxected to be "ok" and I bought it on a whim, figuring I would try it out and then send it off to someone who actually wanted it. Surprisingly, or maybe not so considering it's PAVO, it has stayed.

Fable has such a great pattern, but I was actually worried it wouldn't work for me. I tend to wear a lot of stripes, especially in the summer, and I figured stripes and geometrics wouldn't work. Well, truth is, they don't- but there's also nothing wrong with tailoring your wardrobe to match your wraps, right? HAH! The weave is amazing- it is simple and sleek with only a slight texture. It reminds me of Gotham on heavy sedatives. Tamed and smoothed out, yet has that same airy weave and spongey feeling when squished in your hands.

I have been yelling from the rooftops about the wonder that is Fable in all shorty carries. A simple ruck is anything but in this wrap. I manage to get the highest and most supportive rucks with this wrap. It is SO easy to wrap with, I think this is definitely at the top of my list for wraps I would recommend to a newbie wrapper. I don't need to spend time adjusting the rails over my shoulders or trying hard to slide passes over, it...get ready...almost seems to wrap itself!

In hand, there is a wonderful amount of stretch- similar to Taj, which has an insane amount of stretch. It's a thinner Pavo, which has been great for the summer weather, and in a size 3 I've been using it for my quick ups in the usual shorty carries. I've found that it has a nice amount of support and cush for my shoulders. It's not the smooshiest or cushiest wrap, but it definitely does well carrying almost 25lbs of baby around.

This is a wrap I'd recommend to almost anyone. It's not for someone who loves thick wraps, or something really dense or thin either. It's has a light, airy feeling in hand and I think it would work well in any size, with babies from newborns up to about 30lbs. The colour is beautiful, but if you find the purple too girly, then go for Slate or Brick.

Another home run for Pavo. I'm thinking I'll need to challenge myself to try something "old school" Pavo soon, like a Parterre- just to see if 1) I can handle it and 2) if they can woo me with any type of wrap.

Pavo Fable Lilac
Size 3
100% cotton
lilac/white

Poe Wovens Harlequin

This will likely go down as the shortest review with the worst photo, but so be it. This was not the wrap for me. I borrowed it for a short time from a friend, to help her break it in. Apparently it was quite the beast brand new. I think I was at least the 4th person to attempt the breaking in process and I barely made a dent. Harlequin is a medium thick wrap, with a fairly dense and coarse weave. There isn't much texture but it is definitely not smooth. It features a black and white pattern that reminds me of a kitchen floor, but also of the comic character it is named after. If you have noticed anything from the wraps I've enjoyed, you'll likely know that a high contrast and beastly, crunchy wrap is not my style.

This was a 3, but I found it wrapped very short. I found the wrap to be quite rough when worn, and it took me so much effort just to pick it up and wrap with it simply because I didn't like the feel or the design.
I did, however, figure out the exact person who would get the most use of this wrap. This wrapper would be experienced and have a large stash. She would like high contrast colours and interesting patterns, and would most likely have quite a few neutrals in her stash. She would be wrapping a larger baby, over 25lbs, and be well versed in many carries so she could make use of this wrap to its full potential.

I was more than happy to give it back to its owner, after making a few doughnuts with it to help soften it up.

Here's our one awful photo because we really barely used it enough to warrant any others.

Poe Wovens Harlequin
Size 3
100% Cotton
Black/White

Artipoppe Made in China Jamin'

I had the chance to try out this stunning Artipoppe wrap courtesy of a wrap fairy (hi wrap fairy!!) At first, I wasn't quite sure what to think about this. The design is way outside of my comfort zone and the colours are very dramatic. Technically, they are probably both exact matches for an autumn like me, but I don't tend to gravitate towards such rich colours. The design, which is reminiscent of an Asian textile that you might see in the home of an avid traveller, is quite beautiful but for me, a tad fancy.

I must admit, I am slightly hesitant about trying APs. First off, I generally can't afford the price tag on most of them, especially this one!, but the fibres used are often too high maintenance for the way I like to enjoy my wraps. This particular blend is cotton, silk, merino and cashmere. I just....don't even know where to start. I barely wanted to wrap with this for fear of getting food on it, or using it outside, or god forbid, any small child doing any small child like things to it. So, that is a serious negative for me.

On a more positive note, it does wrap quite beautifully. I do love blends, and this one didn't disappoint. It is quite thin in hand, with a very tight weave. It reminds me of 2 birds or JKOC- a taut feel, with minimal stretch, but extremely supportive when wrapped. One must be careful when wrapping with these types of wraps, because it's very easy to bunch up the wrap in the wrong spot and be left with diggy shoulders or a tight spot under the baby's legs.

I used this in a few different carries. Although I rarely do FWCC anymore, I put the little guy up and it was quite lovely. Not much cush or snuggliness to it, but we felt very secure, and since he is bordering right on 25lbs, it's definitely a plus to feel zero sag. In a DH, it was the same. We felt very tight and secure, and although you must pay attention to your tightening rail by rail, the passes are easy to glide over the bum and this was an easier wrap to work with. There is no texture to speak of with Jamin, and I would describe it as a thinner wrap.

I'd recommend it to those with the cash and desire to own fancy wraps with lovely blends, who also enjoy supportive, thin wraps.
This is not for those who have messy children, or small budgets, or those who desire lots of cush, bounce or grippy texture.

Artipoppe Made In China Jamin'
Size 6
50% cotton, 30% merino, 15% silk, 5% cashmere

Pavo Gotham Camellia

Yes, another Gotham review. ;)

I'll make this one quick, cause we all know how much I loved Steel and how much I wanted to love Marble, but barely had the chance.  Sweet Miss Camellia has been mine for quite a while now. For some reason, I haven't been wrapping with this wrap this much and I think the reason is the length. I bought a 6 but ended up with a long 7, so it's a whole lot of wrap for me. In the middle of summer, with a very impatient toddler- I really don't need 5 and half meters of fabric. But, it has not been churned and that speaks volumes.

When I picked up Camellia at my parcel place, I opened the box in front of a non-babywearing friend and started shrieking and being giddy and ridiculous. She gave me a look that made me realize how insanely deep I have fallen down the rabbit hole. A trucker in the parking lot was staring at me, but finally gave me a thumbs up after I wrapped the entire wrap around myself. Ahem. Camellia is just THAT beautiful. It's a mercerized Gotham and even now, after washes and being dragged around, it still shines. It suits the pattern perfectly (although nothing will top Onyx). Just look at the picture below: shimmer and shine and that colour. A perfect pink. Not too bright and not too muddy or dusty.

Wrapping wise, it reminds me a lot of Gotham Steel, except thinner. It doesn't have that same spongy feeling, but it is just as airy and supportive. I really feel like Gotham is a great wrap for a newer wrapper because of the forgiveness of this wrap. It pretty much holds up with any old wrap job, no matter how terrible. It's got great bounce without any sag, and it holds well with the great textured grip.

Seriously Pavo. Gotham is THE Form wrap. I truly believe that everyone should own a Gotham. All colours of the rainbow should be released and they should make sure every single person who wants one, gets one. Just not mine, cause I'm not giving it up. Cold, dead hands.

Pavo Gotham Camellia
Size 6
100% cotton

Interstitial Handwovens Slice of Summer

DISCLAIMER: This wrap is my very first custom wrap, so I'll probably be kinda biased and protective of it since I helped create it ;)

Slice of Summer was woven by a local Montreal weaver named Colette Simon, of Interstitial Handwovens. She's been weaving for about 7 years, so when I contacted her about making me a baby wrap she was first shocked this market even existed, and then excited to try something new.
We worked together to design this wrap based on a bunch of extremely random inspiration photos and my True Autumn palette that I sent her. (....don't ask....) I wanted something summery and fresh. Something that would be reminiscent of the grass, the air, and the feeling of summer in the late afternoon. It turned out beautifully. I was able to tweak her colour choices a bit and she was able to tell me what would look awful and she has a great eye for blending colours and making things pop.

The wonderful thing about finding a "new" weaver in the same city as you is that the wrap is ready in the blink of an eye. I got to pick it up in person and it's just so much more personal.

At first glance: this is a 4.3m 100% cotton wrap. It is a thin-medium wrap, with a gsm of 269 (approx). I asked Colette to make it slightly dense, but still light enough for summer. In hand it is soft, moldable and ready to wrap with. The weaving is impeccable. Not a knot or flaw to speak of. My only issue was with the selvedges. She wove them so they would be as moldable as the wrap, and that resulted in some uneven areas. She's hemming the rails so they will aesthetically be perfect, while still keeping a nice floppiness to the wrap. I have seen her latest wrap on the warp and the selvedges look flawless. So, I think it was just the type of thing that comes up when weaving a new item.

The wrapping qualities that I like are the secure and supportive feeling when wrapping. It reminds of a hemp or linen blend because it has that kevlar feeling, like baby is literally attached to my back and we are "one". It has minimal bounce, just enough to be comfortable but not so much that it pulls on my shoulders or starts to sag. It has so far rocked a FWCC as well as all sorts of variations of DH and a simple ruck (with very long tails).

I feel like I haven't found its weaknesses yet, but I'm thinking this: There could be more stretch to this wrap. I feel like I need to take extra care to tighten the chest passes to make sure that nothing is loose. Otherwise, the only things I could think of that might be negatives would be the lack of texture, although that may just be a handwoven thing, and the weight. This wrap may be too thin for some, if you are looking for a super thick cushy wrap, this isn't the one. It's definitely not thin by any means, but it is low profile and the qualities that shine are the support and the grip of the weave, not a marshmallowy, spongey effect.

The colours have such a warming effect- this would be perfect for anyone with a warm complexion like me, and I think they will translate well into the other seasons, despite being called "Slice of Summer".

I am SO excited to see what else comes out of this studio- Colette's talented weaving and her desire to take colour to another level is going to introduce some amazing new stuff to the handwoven world.

Interstitial Handwovens
Size 4.3m
Greens, Blues, Pinks with light Grey weft
100% cotton

Didymos Natural Hemp India (NHIndia)

 Perfect for a newborn or a toddler. Somehow that sentence gets worked into every single wrap review I read these days and I don't get it. Not every wrap can work for every size baby. It just doesn't. But, with NHIndia it DEFINITELY does!

This wrap. Wow. I'm impressed and also slightly embarrassed that it took me so long to try another Didymos. I caught this wrap on a little travel around the country and although visually it was not love at first sight, the wrapping qualities are just awesome.

In hand the wrap is heavy and thick, in a spongy not dense sort of way. This is also a size 7, so picking it up means you are holding a LOT of wrap. It defines marshmallow, in my wrapping dictionary. It is smooshy on the shoulders, feels like a warm hug when wrapped around me, and there is a perfect (read:slight) amount of bounce while still being supportive. I think this may be what some people mean when they describe Pavo's Marble, but to me NHIndia is the epitome of marshmallow.

I took the little guy out for two nice morning walks with this wrap. We literally glided down the street as one, and even though it was halfpasttoofreakingearly in the morning and my wrap job was not the best, I adjusted nothing. My shoulders felt like clouds were placed on them, even if the babe was not even high enough it didn't seem to matter. This is a very forgiving wrap.

Downsides to this wrap: You know I always like to list the negatives, right? Well, as much as I think this wrap is totally squish worthy (I would LOVE to snuggle a new baby in this) it wouldn't be my first choice for a brand new wrapper. Let's say, ideal for a second baby wrapper. ;) It's thicker than many people might like and not the easiest to wrangle, especially in a long size.

Another thing I didn't love is the design. Wait. That's not what I mean. I actually really adore the India design, I've always had a thing for these elephants and peacocks. They remind me of the souvenirs my grandmother would bring back from her travels; a little necklace inside an intricately designed little bag with golds and purples and reds woven in. This natty wrap just does nothing for this amazing design (which was designed by Pavo's Erin Arnason- a little geekery tidbit that pretty much everyone knows, but for some reason makes me more in awe of her). You need to really squint to examine what exactly is woven onto this wrap, otherwise it just looks like a bunch of random squiggles.

Lastly, I wouldn't consider this a great hot weather wrap. Even though it's July, I wrapped with this inside or in the morning and I found it cozy and warm. On a hot day this would be at the bottom of the list for me. It would just be way too much. There are hemp wraps out there that would be as supportive, maybe not as cushy, but definitely lighter weight.

I'd recommend this wrap to almost anyone. I'd say skill level of intermediate to expert, and from 3-50lbs. I'm sad this isn't mine, but I will be on the lookout for a smaller size...and it would make a really great dye blank!!! Bring those animals out to play!

Didymos Natural Hemp India
50% Organic Cotton , %50 Hemp
Natural
Size 7

Oscha Okinami Noir

Let's start with a little imagery, shall we? Picture yourself: you live in urban Montreal. The streets, and therefore sidewalks, are covered 2 feet deep in heavy snow. You find yourself needing to make a trip to the grocery store and there's no way you can dig out the car- so, you wrap baby snugly against you. Both of you are dressed for the elements: sweaters, wool hats, mittens and the works. You pull your heavy winter boots on and head out into the cold, blowing wind. Baby barely flinches because he's already nuzzled his head into your chest, staying warm through the dense layers. Noir is the wrap you choose. It's the only option for a day like this- it acts as a second pair of arms, cuddling and holding your baby, pressing your bodies together so you can make it home warm and content for a quiet winter afternoon....

Except, it's July. So, this above scenario never happened, but it's now a dream of mine. The current weather in this city does not lend itself to Noir. The dark colours, the thick grizzly fibers that scratch against bodies wearing minimal clothing....let me just say, this isn't a beach wrap!

The Okinami pattern is stunning, and one that I've coveted for a long while. It is VERY dramatic in this colourway- even more dark and brooding than his brother Zen. In person, I still loved the design as a textile, but I don't know how much I enjoyed it as a wrap design. I think you truly don't get the full impact when it's wrapped.

In hand this wrap is dense and scratchy. It has an almost sandpaper texture- I didn't find it very pleasant at all. For beast lovers out there- here's one. Except I don't think you could tame Noir. He is who he is, if you know what I mean. I think this wrap would be great in very specific situations, like the one I described before. But for daily wearing, it wouldn't be for me.

When wrapped I felt like baby was duct taped to me. The support was incredible, and surprisingly, I didn't find it that difficult to get a nice wrap job. A FWCC was lovely in this wrap, but when I tried a DH with a CCCB, the scratchiness against my chest was too much.

I feel like this wrap would be great for an older baby, well into heavy 3 year old territory. I cringe thinking of a newborn in this wrap, it feels like it might chafe their soft little skin right off. Maybe if baby was safely dressed in a full fleecy suit, then I *might* use this for a new baby.

This wrap is definitely not for everyone. It's mostly not for me, other than the great support and the very dramatic look that I might like every 20 times I wear. This wrap would be perfect for someone who enjoys interesting blends, is used to the texture of a real wooly wrap, and who isn't afraid of a beast.

 Oscha Okinami Noir
15% silk, 45% cotton, 40% wool
Size 5

Artipoppe Two Birds Ink

Two Birds is a design that I have seen in countless stash shots, and all over the internet wrap world. I think you can't really exist in the online wrap groups without recognizing this pattern. So, I was pretty excited when Ink, an Egyptian cotton and linen blend, came to visit me recently.

First thoughts- I love linen blend wraps, so I knew that we would probably get along. There is something about linen that has a sturdy, taught type of support that I really like. Most linen blend wraps that I have tried have not had as much stretch as other all-cotton or other fibers do, so I find you need to be more careful when wrapping, to ensure that the rails are tight and the tightening is done well so that you end up with a comfortable wrap job. Two Birds is no different.

The size 2 that I was trying measured a bit long, which I tend to like. The added length means that I don't need to break my arm to get a rebozo pass around my back. One issue I had with this wrap was the width- it is very narrow, measuring in at only 25 inches. I find this entirely too narrow for me. I much prefer a width closer to 30 inches, that way I have plenty of fabric to make a proper seat. This caused a lot of issues for me and I can imagine it would be for anyone with a seat popper, or older baby who moves around a lot while wrapped. I HAD to do unpoppable carries or I would start to feel the seat sliding out from under my little guy's bum. Even in a rebozo carry inevitably the seat would start creeping out.

On a more positive note, I found this wrap very supportive, and even though it is what I would consider a thin-medium wrap, there was no diggyness and even with a chest belt I felt comfortable. Ink is the kind of wrap that holds in place very well. Despite almost no real texture, there is a great grip. This is a major plus for when using a shorty, as I tend to do carries like rebozo or tied-at-shoulder variations where any slipping at all can cause serious issues.

Pros: supportive, passes glide well and stay in place, colour is awesome (is it purple, is it blue?), great grip, and in a longer size would definitely be toddler worthy (25+lbs)

Cons: too narrow, linen requires constant ironing and care so as not to cause permanent creasing (although, if you find ironing therapeutic like I do, then by all means!), if you love thick or textured wraps this is not for you. Might be newborn worthy, but I'm going to say this would make a perfect wrap in a mid size with a 3-18 month old. ;)

Artipoppe Two Birds Ink
50% ecru cotton, 50% indigo linen
Size 2