Pavo Ama Violet Sky

I am officially dubbing this wrap The Crossover to Pavo Wrap. Here's why: When I first received this wrap, it was in loom state. It looked like a lot of other Pavo Form wraps that I've bought brand new (more than I want to admit). I admired the design for a while-a long while- taking in the insanely awesome mermaids design. I know there are some mixed reviews on this design, but I happen to LOVE it. I've admired it since the first sneak peek and it's probably my favorite summer Form release. The mermaids are so much bigger than expected, so when wrapped it isn't just a bunch of tiny mermaids. Instead you get a peak of boobs here, a bit of tail there, some waves here, and flowing hair there. I am in love with these merboobs and the pasties she has. They are so in your face, and over the top. But then, she isn't a Barbie doll mermaid, she's like Frida Kahlo's mermaid cousin- awkward and slightly ugly with her special/disfigured star hands....

After a wash and dry something totally crazy happened. This wrap does not feel like any other Form wrap I've tried. It is much softer, more blankety, smooth, very little texture other than the ribbed scales on her tail and it really floofed up. Unlike other Pavos I've had where the texture is the most amazing thing after a wash, this wrap just puffed up into something kitteny soft.
I think that's what makes this wrap a great first time Pavo owner's wrap, hence "the crossover".It doesn't have that typical super thick, or super textured thing that many Pavos are known for. I find it super cozy, perfect for wrapping a baby after a dip in the ocean or lake, and great for an evening walk to watch the sunset. When we run out of babies to wrap, this would be very cool to have made into a beach blanket. 
One of the drawbacks, that is also one of the highlights, is exactly what makes it the wrap that it is...those damn mermaids! A friend described the design of these mermaids as "a bad combo of juvenile, tacky and ugly. Like a fat, drunk eight year old at a tiki lounge: anti elegance." Meanwhile, when I showed my husband he said "that looks like something out of a James Bond movie." So, there's that. The design may not be what you're looking for OR it may be everything you never knew you wanted in a wrap.One thing I didn't love is the wrong side has so much of the white warp floats that the silky texture reminds me a lot of Jade Giraffe, which was something I didn't love. It gives me a weird feeling while wrapping. Not noticeable when wearing though.
I also found for a summer themed wrap the weave was fairly dense and warm compared to a Fable for example,which is a much airier summer wrap.

 In terms of wrapping qualities, I found this wrap very easy to wrap with. As a said before it struck me as the wrap to start with when trying Pavos. I often hear, "I tried Pavo and I didn't like it", because some of their wraps are so different than other brands. You can't really go from a Girasol to an Etini in a seamless way (in my experience), you'll just be freaked out. This wrap is soft and approachable. It's very comfortable when wrapped and holds a knot, even a single one, very well. I don't find it has the insane stretch that some other Pavos have, making it a bit less bouncy. It is moldable and I found it had great glide. When trying tibetan or with a chest belt for example, I wasn't struggling to pull the wrap through the ruck straps, it was easy and tightened well. I also often have trouble with the horizontal pass on DH, if a wrap is too grippy it takes me a while to get it up and over, I wouldn't say mermaids was my sleekest wrap for this because it's smooth but still dense. Lack of texture makes it easier for those types of passes.
 Compared to other Pavos I find it most similar to Cobalt cheetah in terms of weight, glide, grip and stretch. It's much softer though. Maybe some similarities to an all cotton Natibaby? 

Basically, I lusted after this wrap for AGES, and I'm pretty much loving it. I don't know how relevant it'll be in our -30c Montreal weather in the dead of winter, but it'll certainly keep me feeling tropical and summery And hello- holiday on the beach? I'll be taking the mermaids!

Have you tried any of Pavo's recent Form releases? I'm dying to know how the compare to Ama! Leave a comment and let me know!

Pavo Ama Violet Sky
Size 5
White/purple
100% cotton

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

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

Pavo Pavo Taj

So. I lied. Remember that thing I said about taking a break from reviewing Pavo wraps? Let's just act like that never happened. I can't stop, it's like an addiction, closely rivaling my addiction to chewy, sugary candies...

Pavo's Pavo Taj (not a mistake, the wrap is actually called Pavo, and the colourway is Taj) is my newest love. I'll be honest though, I got this wrap in a trade and really only started reaching for it for the sake of this blog. I figured, I'll use the natty wrap a few times, get a good idea of the wrapping qualities, write the post and then we'll call it a day. I have even had the wrap up for sale already, although the listing has been pulled now.

I think Taj came into my wrapping life at just the right time. Summer is upon us here in Montreal and there is nothing better than grabbing a wrap that goes with any outfit (trust me, it is hard to match wraps to ikat print dresses) and knowing that you'll look fresh, be comfortable, not too hot, yet supported for whatever the day brings.

Taj reminds me a lot of the Gothams. There is a definite texture similarity, although Taj is a little more subtle. I get lost in the pattern, much more than I ever did with Marble. I often find myself with this wrap on my lap in the car and I like to trace the pattern and just stare at it. I sound completely insane, but if you're reading this blog chances are you're crazy, too. The stretch is amazing, drawing back to the similarities of the Gothams. It has a lot of bounce, in hand and when wrapped. I find this adds to the comfort of wearing, since it doesn't feel like the wrap is moving against me. The only drawback with wraps like this, I find they need to be readjusted after a while due to the bounce starting to cause a bit of sag. I don't mean within minutes, but for longer carries, like 30 minutes + you might need to stop, untie, tighten and re-tie. No big deal, but something to mention.

Other big pluses for this wrap include the awesome grip. I love how I can tie in the tippy tails and it holds like duct tape. Really, this wrap has many of my favorite features: airy weave, medium weight, some texture, good grip, and nice stretch that translates when wearing as well as wrapping.

Drawbacks to this wrap would be: many people are not crazy about the design (cough vaginas? cough) but on Taj I just don't see it. Natty wraps tend to scare a lot of people off, I happen to think it works well on this wrap, especially for summer, though I do have plans for a transformation in the next few weeks. I would probably recommend this to someone who has tried Pavo before, I feel like this isn't a shiny, bright new thing, but rather something a more experienced wrapper could appreciate. It's on the drier side, so for someone who likes smooth, silky wraps, this might not be the best. I almost want to say it's a middle of the road, something for everyone Pavo wrap, but that makes it seem less special than it really is.

Pavo Pavo Taj
Size 4
100% cotton

Pavo Cobalt Cheetah

They may both be Pavo Menagerie wraps, but Cobalt Cheetah and Jade Giraffe could not be any different if they tried. I was really surprised, and amazed by the differences in these two wraps.

Let's dive right in, shall we?
First off- the creamy texture of Giraffe was nowhere to be found on Cheetah- and this was very exciting to me because that's one of the things I really didn't love about J.G (Jade Giraffe). Cheetah has a much drier feel. I think this is due to the design. I don't know if I'm describing this accurately AT ALL, but the managerie wraps have a lot of flat thread in the weave- so the white warp is very visible (this is also why these wraps tend to have more skipped threads I think, although I saw none on either of the wraps I tried). J.G has a lot more white in the giraffe spots, so it feels a lot silkier and smoother, hence the creamy texture. C.C (Cobalt Cheetah) has a much different design, so feels completely different in hand. I'm not sure how well I'm expressing myself, but it truly makes sense to me!

Weight-wise Cobalt is dense, with a medium-thick feel. It has a nice amount of stretch, minimal for a Pavo, but more than most other wraps. I didn't find it to be an elastic type of stetch, like a Gotham has- the "boing-y" type of stretch that bounces back on you, but it was more like a stretch that also has a bit of give. I found it very supportive, and even though the photos in this post were all taken on the same day, I wore this wrap out a bunch of times in many different carries and I really enjoyed it. I found it easy to wrap with. The weave didn't hinder the wrapping process- it was very easy to slide passes over, although if I didn't keep my wrapping tight as I went along it would get loose very easily. I didn't find this wrap very forgiving for a quick sloppy up, in fact, it would definitely not be my quick-up choice in wrap.

I would choose cobalt to go with my awesome outfit, for a walk through my neighborhood to get a coffee and hit up a shop or two. I'd wear this wrap for casual outings, when I would have a safe spot to wrap (ie: not on the side of the road, but rather in a house with a mirror) and probably not for insanely long periods. This is a size 3, and I generally don't use shorties when I know I have a full day of carrying ahead of me.

I'd recommend this wrap to anyone from newer to experienced wrapper, but not the total newbie. It might be a bit much for them. It would suit someone wrapping an older baby- 4 months plus would be my rec, only because I don't feel it would be soft and snuggly enough for a newborn and there are so many other great squish wraps out there. A toddler, on the other hand, would be happy in this wrap. A nice bright blue colour that you don't really see from any other wrap company, along with a very cool cheetah *cough leopard cough* pattern makes this a total hit. Again, I have to say the menagerie are not my favorite line from Pavo. I LOVE that company and the wraps they make, but I think I should stick with the Form line- they almost always blow me away!

On that note, I've got to take a bit of a break from reviewing Pavos. I've noticed they've started taking up over half of my reviews (which makes sense, because my stash is about 90% Pavos) but for the sake of the blog, I am going to try branching out! Stay tuned!

Pavo Cobalt Cheetah
Size 3
100% Cotton

Pavo Jade Giraffe

Jade Giraffe is the first Guild and first menagerie Pavo wrap that I tried. It was a stalking score and I'll be honest, I bought a 2 because it was the cheapest way to try a Guild. Turns out, I kinda like size 2 wraps, but I'm not sure how well the wrapping qualities of Giraffe mix with a shorty.

Aesthetically, this wrap is gorgeous. The large giraffe spots literally SHINE, it's like nothing I've ever seen on a wrap before. So so beautiful. The jade colour is also amazing- it is somehow subdued, yet funky, and sophisticated all at the same time. I really feel that this is my "Holt Renfrew" wrap. (Google it, you non-Canadians) It's luxurious and my fanciest wrap, looks-wise.

I find this wrap to be thick and very dense. I would describe it as creamy, with a surprising amount of grip despite the lack of texture. I had some trouble getting the passes to glide, depending on what I was wearing. Somehow the weave doesn't work well against certain fabrics (like fleece, for example. Which should have been obvious, since a wrap like this would never be seen with fleece. I mean really, what was I thinking??!). Tying off was easy with this wrap, it makes a decent sized knot, I'd say mid-sized, and it is easy to tighten. It isn't the grippiest knot though, so I preferred wearing it in carries where I wasn't relying on the knot at my shoulder or chest to keep the carry tight. Shepard's carry, and Double hammock rebozo were not the best. But a ruck tied in front, which I could just eek out in this 2.95m size 2, was great.

What I did really like about this wrap was its supportiveness. It's solid, dependable, and isn't just a pretty face. A great single pass wrap that doesn't sag or start to lose support.

A few things I didn't love: The stretch that is obvious in hand doesn't translate when wrapping. It really felt like wrapping with a thick silky scarf or pashmina. I think this wrap would be much better in a longer size for me. I prefer something with more bounce and stretch in a shorty. It is a mix of too dense and thick- if a wrap is thick I prefer it to be a bit airier and vice versa.

I know there are a lot of fans of the menagerie line of Pavo, so I know this wrap must be a hit for many people. I wouldn't recommend it for a newer wrapper, but I would definitely recommend it to someone wrapping a toddler or older child, to someone who likes a dense, creamy texture and to someone who wants a little haute couture mixed into their babycarrying.

Thoughts? Do you agree or disagree with my review of Jade Giraffe?

Pavo Jade Giraffe
100% cotton
Ivory/Green/Aquamarine
Size 2

Pavo Etini Trinity

I'll call this one "The Shortest Love Affair That Never Happened"

I think the first time I ever heard about Pavo was on the swap. The word Etini kept showing up in every second post and I had no clue what people were talking about. Is this a brand? Is this a sub-brand of something else? What the heck is an Etini?!

When I found out my friend actually owned one, I went over to her place to check it out. She, at the time, had a Poinsettia and I was not impressed. First off, a red wrap. That's a big X in my books. I also found it looked quite grandmotherly, and it was very heavy with too much detail to the weave. I soon forgot about that wrap, and she sold it and that was that.

Fast forward a few months later and Trinity is released on St Patrick's Day. The same friend scored one, and recently it made it's way to my house for the sake of blog research.

I chose a sunny park day to try it out.

 First off, I think this is definitely the thickest, most difficult wrap I have ever used. Wow. I was expecting a thicktini, but I was SO not expecting this! This is a completely different Pavo. To be honest, I'm STILL not sure what to think. There are so many people who rave about these wraps that I thought for sure I would fall in love, but alas, there was no love for me and Trinity. (Except the colour, which was to die for! Absolutely stunning. So bright, a wonderful green. I'm not a fan of Etini Holly, but Trinity is my jam for sure.)

I found it took a lot of effort to tighten enough so that it was comfortable. My husband actually said, "wow, he looks so happy back there, it's nice and loose and he has all sorts of space." Um, thanks, but that's not exactly going to be good for my back.

This was also a size 4, and I found it wrapped closer to a 3 because of the weight. You'll see in this delicious shot (money shot!) the beautiful ginormous knot it made. Hello, trinity! Still love that colour. But, the weave and the design. Please don't throw stuff at me, but it is SO not me. I find it very fancy and formal, and the weave, with all the skips and loops, is just too much. I am a jeans and t-shirt kinda gal and this requires a little more effort. Also- grandmother's drapes? This totally reminds me of a luxurious textile my Nana would have had in her house. Pretty, but let me have my youth.

I will be honest, and say I only had Trinity for 2 days before she was whisked away and sold by my friend. I would like to get my hands on a thintini to try it out, because I think I *may* be able to handle one. I'd love to get a coal and dye it a fun, bright colour. Stay tuned. It'll probably happen.

Geeking out- Pavo Jade Giraffe VS Etini Trinity

Just happened to be sitting around with these two wraps the other day...

Jade Giraffe and Etini Trinity from a few feet away. Not so similar, right?

 Now, let's take a closer look....

Hello. Sisters. Cousins. Definitely related. I think Giraffe is a tri-blend of spearmint, and I'm guessing the other colour is the same or very similar to Trinity.


Geek Out. 

Pavo Gotham Marble

I have to start off by saying, the photos in this post completely suck. I haven't had the time in the last little while I do more than simply toss baby into a wrap and then go, so I'm often wearing outfits I don't want anyone to know I own, or I'm a complete mess so....sorry Marble! You deserved so much better than these photos!

Marble was an impulse buy, as I'm not usually drawn to natty wraps. But, I knew I wanted to own my very own Gotham so I scored this direct from Pavo's stocking. It seemed it wasn't a very highly anticipated wrap, but as the reviews started coming in I think those who missed out started to regret snoozing on this one.

First impressions- Marble is gorgeous. Pavo decided to start using mercerized cotton in their Gothams (and some or all(?) of their Form wraps) with Marble and the shimmer is just so great. It adds a real luxury feel to this wrap, although texture wise it is much more of a cozy, workhorse.

In hand it feels thinner than Steel, and I wasn't quite sure what everyone meant about it turning into a "smooshy marshmallow" after one wash and an iron, because to me it still felt quite scratchy. I tend to be a bit of a princess with softness though. I really like soft wraps. Texture is a big thing for me, I prefer my wraps to feel a bit creamy with a slight texture. Marble was not in the marshmallow category for me- until I wrapped with it. Then I "got it". It has a solid softness on the shoulders. There is no diggyness and the texture, which is apparent in hand, doesn't bother my shoulders like some other wraps would. I had a size 4 and my go to with a 4 is a ruck tied Tibetan. When I did a knotless tie, which you see in the photos here, there was a dry grip in the tails. They just held like duct tape. I loved it! A great amount of support, a slight bounce (which is exactly what I like), and that signature Pavo stretch (which is something I swore I would never say in any wrap review, but there it is.)

The only downside to this wrap: I wish it were a little softer in hand, and perhaps even a bit thicker like Steel. For those hoping for an airy, soft wrap, this likely won't work. It's not that Gotham isn't those things, and I'm sure with time it does get super soft like most wraps would, those just aren't the star qualities. This wrap works for long haul carries, it supports like many wraps just don't, and it has that awesome Gotham style. I debated for a long time about dyeing it, but ultimately this wrap moved on to a new home because I have yet another Gotham coming to live here, as well as a few other special lovelies.

Here's your chance Marble lovers, use the comments to rave about your favorite Gotham!

Pavo Gotham Marble
Ecru/Natural
100% Cotton
Size 4

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

Pavo Gotham Steel

Hello, Beast. Lovely, amazing, steely grey beast. Oh, how I have fallen for you!

A wonderful friend let me borrow this beauty and I'm pretty sure she will need to pry it from my cold dead hands if she wants it back.

At first glance, from photos online and from quickly giving it a once over when my friend bought this, I wasn't head over heels. There is a lot of hype currently surrounding this wrap and its sister/brother Onyx. I wasn't sure if I wanted to drink the kool-aid, but one try was all it took.

The texture. The first word anyone utters when describing this wrap is texture. It is a wrap you almost want to stare at with a microscope because the weave is just so awesome. The pattern from a few feet away is equally cool. Aesthetically, I'd say this is one of my favorite wraps. It just looks so effortlessly cool when you're wearing it. It's got an art deco thing happening, it's also a little mod with the dots and the angles of the lines. I am loving the right side and the wrong side equally and it's a wrap I don't even bother choosing a side when wrapping because either way it looks great.

It's listed at 280g/m2 which seems confusing when compared to Hearts and Camellia who are both listed at the same weight. When compared in hand to the other two, Gotham is thicker, more textured, but perhaps less dense than Hearts, but much weightier than Camellia. Even though Gotham is more of a Beast, the weave is somehow still airy. It's a wrap I can imagine loving on a cold winter day, but in a shorter size I could imagine would be a great summer wrap as well.

The size 6 I am borrowing is a PERFECT double hammock wrap. It is solid, and supportive. It supports a lousy wrap job, but shines in a perfect one. I wouldn't describe the support as "cush", it's actually a bit diggy if you have the wrap too bunched up on your shoulders. I think that's maybe due to the weave, it can be a little too thick on the shoulders or if you have it bunched up to pass under your wrappee's legs.

I found it easy to make the seat- my wrappee is the kind who makes the execution of a wrap job very difficult. Once I've got the first pass around we're good. But getting him to stay still while I make the seat is pretty much impossible. Other pros of this wrap would be the nice grip. I rocked a knotless ruck with great long tails draping down in the front and it held really well. Once you get everything where you want it to be it's sort of like velcro with this wrap, it's great. Cons: no small knot with this bad boy. Try tying under bum, ha! You really don't want to be tying in the tails with Gotham- I practically had a place to balance a tray when I did.

I'd recommend this wrap to someone looking for a textured, solid, trendy looking wrap. I think it would be best for someone with an older baby, maybe 6 months and up. I definitely wouldn't describe this as the best newborn wrap. I think it might just be a bit "much" for a new baby and a combination of new wrapper/new baby and Gotham doesn't sound like a great mix, in my opinion.

For someone more experienced, or who loves a good beast, this is the wrap for you. I think it would be great in a variety of sizes, whatever you like best. So, if you don't already own one, go get one. But, good luck finding one! ;)

I'm currently waiting on Gotham Marble, so I'll have a nice comparison review to post in the next couple of weeks.

Gotham Steel
Grey/Ecru
100% cotton
Size 6

Tell me how much you love your Gotham Steel!!

Mild geekery...Pavo Espalier Camellia

 Well hello there, mysterious Camellia....

 

This just arrived yesterday. The texture isn't anything to write home about, but the look at the detail of the weave. The background has what looks like parquet and the ecru coloured warp sort of skips along over top. It's genius. It's a thinner wrap, but still stretchy and it looks like it's going to be just lovely. 

Here's a shot of it stacked between Oscha Ooki Cora Knots and Pavo Hearts Crush. Obviously the colour is not similar at all to Cora, but the two Pavos have a similar feel, side by side. Both have a dusty colour to them; Camellia in a rose shade and Crush in a creamy salmon-esque shade. I really can't wait to get baby up in this one and stay tuned for a full review soon. A few more reviews coming before this one gets its turn in the spotlight.                                                     

Update: Sadly, Camellia's time here was cut short.  She is being sent off to a new home across the country. We'll have to wait for the arrival of her sister Espalier Lilac for a full review. Camellia was traded for something new though, a brand I've never tried... But brings me closer to my quest to "Try ALL The Wraps!" 

Pavo Crush Hearts

I was finally drawn in to the excitement and buzz surrounding Pavo Textiles/Pavo Form and made my first purchase - a size 5 Crush Hearts. I was giddy when the box arrived, and opened it up to find a sweet wrap envelope with my new wrap tucked neatly inside.
Crush wasn’t the softest wrap fresh out of the box, but not the crunchiest either. I have felt new in box wraps that were like sandpaper- this was nowhere close. The fabric had a nice weight to it, it almost felt like a soft pair of jeans. Still a bit stiff, I took the time to look it over carefully- SO beautiful. The colours were true to the website and it definitely had that stretch and thickness I had heard so many rave about.
The first few times wrapping were easier than I expected. My wrappee is almost a year old and weighs just over 20lbs. We’ve been back wrapping for about 6 months and I’ve been babywearing since his brother was born almost 4 years ago.

Early morning snuggles in Hearts

This wrap is definitely one I would recommend to a newbie. It’s easy to adjust, doesn’t slip out of your hand as you tighten passes, and is very forgiving if you don’t have the best wrap job. (Although, because the rails tend to be a bit stiffer, you can spot a sloppy wrap job more easily, in my opinion.) It might be a bit hard for some to manage if they’ve only wrapped with thinner cotton wraps, but I prefer a wrap with a bit more bulk so this was perfect. It took a few tries to get the hang of getting passes to slide in back carries, but after a week or so of a braid here and a coil there it started to really glide well. One of my favorite things about this wrap is that it feels like a second skin when you take the time to adjust each rail, especially in my favorite carry, double hammock. My little guy looked happy and comfy and I didn’t need to constantly adjust the shoulders, which happens with certain wraps. The slight diagonal stretch also helped in adjusting without feeling that strained, digging on the rails and I was able to tie my DH in front with a 5 which almost never happens!

My 4 year old's current fave

I wouldn’t recommend this wrap to someone looking for a ton of texture or lots of grip. For someone who enjoys a more beastly wrap, I’d say this might feel a bit tame. It reminds me of a thicker, tighter weave Girasol. It is soft, easy, and comfortable.  Once the wrap is “broken in” it feels almost creamy. A wrap to wear with your favorite t shirt and jeans.
This was definitely an amazing gateway wrap, as I’ve since ordered a few more Pavos that I am anticipating loving to wrap with as well.

Thanks Pavo!


Have you tried and loved Crush Hearts? Did a different Hearts call your name? Tell me about it in the comments!


Pavo Crush Hearts
Ecru/Creamsicle
100% cotton
Size 5