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

Kokoskaa Royal Quill Midnight

There's something about Kokoskaa and the Royal Quill design that is so pleasing to my eyes. When I saw these start popping up in reviews and then for sale, I really wanted to get my hands on one. This proved next to impossible, and then when I finally saw Midnight posted on the Kokoskaa page I knew, "This will be mine!!" Ha. I totally sucked at scoring this, and figured- there goes my chance. I never see Kokoskaas up for sale. That's how I judge how amazing a wrap REALLY is. Sure, people can go on and on about how great a wrap is, how wonderful the qualities are, but if everyone is selling them or using them to trade up for a better wrap I am a little skeptical. It seems like these are being held pretty tightly. But- as is usually the case, a babywearing friend came through and sent this one to me so I could finally try it!

My first impressions: The colour is such a deep navy it almost looks black. Overall, this is such a beautiful wrap. Something you could dress up for a formal event, or just wear with a plain t-shirt, jeans, and a pearl necklace ;)
RQ midnight is a special blend, unlike the other current colours which are 100% cotton. Midnight is a blend of cotton, cashmere, merino and silk. It feels thick, spongey, and fairly dense in hand. I'd compare it to a Pavo Gotham but less airy, or a thicker version of Taj even, but with a sleeker texture and a softer feel.
The stretch in hand translates really well into a nice bounce when wrapped (I might say, it was almost a little too bouncy for me). I found it quite easy to wrap with, and by that I mean, I didn't struggle to get that pass over my son's back like I do with some of the dry, grippy wraps out there nor did I end up with a bunch of sag after thinking I had it all perfectly tightened. I was able to make a nice clean, tight chest pass and my shoulders felt supported and comfortable. Kokoskaa says this wrap is 315 g/sm, which feels fairly accurate. It's medium-thick, with a heavy but not blankety feel. I did find this wrap quite hot in our current summer heat, so I likely wouldn't recommend this to someone who lives in a warm climate year round. It was very cuddly and cozy, I think it would make a perfect fall or spring wrap.

This particular wrap is a size 5, which is one of my new favorite sizes. I like DH with a chest belt or tied at shoulder, I can also eek out a DH tied in front sometimes as well. I think this wrap is great in this size, but I honestly could see it working well with any size. It isn't too thick that a shorty would be too cumbersome, and the knot is of average size with a nice hold, so for tying under bum or at shoulder it works well. I might pass on a long size like a 7 because it would way too much wrap in this particular weight and density for me.
I'd recommend this wrap to the lover of thicker wraps, but not a self-described lover of beasts. Someone who likes thinner, supportive wraps might feel like they are wrapping with a duvet. Personally, if this wrap were a tiny bit thinner it would be perfect for me. It held my little 25lb man perfectly well, and I could see it being great and a luxurious choice for a new little baby also.


I am curious to see how the all cotton RQ compare to this one. I imagine them being slightly thinner, with more of a grippy cotton texture to them. I'm sure it won't be long before one comes to hang out here with me...I do know for sure I am holding onto this Midnight for as long as I can!!


Kokoskaa Royal Quill Midnight
56% cotton, 18 % cashmere, 18% merino, 8% silk
Ecru/Navy
Size 5

Uppy Wear Grow

The review wherein I try to compare UppyWear to UppyMama without ever having tried an UppyMama....

UppyWear is the latest venure of handwoven wrap giant UppyMama. They decided to branch out into machine wovens, in a way to make obtaining an Uppy easier for the general population, and to bring the price point down for those who cannot afford a handwoven Uppy. They did this by releasing the wraps through local stores only, and by selling them at approx 250-325$ each. I'm not sure how accessible or affordable this makes them, but alas, here are some photos of me wearing one, so they've done something right, haven't they??

A lovely friend of mine got this for me and when it arrived I was very surprised to see how much it looked and felt like a handwoven wrap. The weave looked pretty much exactly like any other cotton plain weave I had seen. It was soft, floppy, and thin, just like most of the handwovens I've tried.
Aesthetically, I love the design of this wrap. Based off what I assume is the original sock monkey design, the Grow version has a green stripe instead of red. I actually don't like the original or the chocolate version of this design, so it was surprising that I actually liked this one. It's a perfect neutral and the green isn't too lime or murky, it's a soft grass green with a hint of olive.

From what I've heard about Uppymama cotton, there tends to be some sag. This wrap was similar, but it actually didn't bother me very much. I found this wrap to be so floppy and moldable, there was no issue tightening stiff rails or feeling like you are trying to toss a starched tablecloth over your back.

I prefer medium weight wraps, and I like when wraps are slightly airy with a bit of texture. If a wrap is on the thinner size then I much prefer it to be dense with a flatter weave. This Uppywear definitely fits my description of a great medium weight wrap. There is a lovely grip, the fact that it is all cotton keeps it from sliding around too much, but it remains easy to wrap with.

I got this in a size 5, which is the smallest size they currently sell these in. It's a perfect size for my go-to carry, which is Double Hammock. I can easily tie off into a nice candy cane chest belt and the knot holds well without being too large or cumbersome.

I think Uppy should start selling these in smaller sizes, as I think they would do well as shorties. Obviously, the wrap shines in a longer size, and I think with this type of wrap ( where sagging is a possibility depending on how tightly you wrap) multi-pass carries do well.

On a 20 minute walk with my 24lber I stopped once to readjust and bounce him up higher, but when I arrived at destination I was still comfortable, the wrap job held up well and we looked awesome ( we totally did!). This is a wrap I'd suggest to a new wrapper. It's easy to use, not too thick, not too grippy, and is also a good introduction into what handwovens are like. I did manage to compare this to an Uppy or two that I felt in hand at a wrap get together and I would say they felt quite similar. Uppy wear probably compares more to an older version Uppy, which were a bit thicker than they are now.

I'm excited to see what else comes from the UppyWear line. I do hope they start selling in more locations so they actually become an accessible choice for babywearers.




UppyWear Grow
Size 5
100% Cotton
Grey, white, green

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

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

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

Oscha Liberty Escalus

Liberty Escalus came to me for a little visit from a friend. I couldn't resist getting my hands on this wrap- the design, the colour, the blend. Oooh la la!

Escalus is a cashmere/cotton blend, described by Oscha as "dark blue finest cashmere on a bright rose cotton warp" but I'd say it looks more like a deep eggplant with a hot pink warp. But really, what does it matter? She's gorgeous! Oscha only made 24 of these wraps, so it felt little exclusive to try this one.

In hand this wrap is thin, and tightly woven. You can tell that it will be supportive though, as beautiful as she is, she's also ready to carry babies!

This was a size 5 and I think that anything smaller might not be best for this particular wrap. It really shines in multi-layer carries. I like to feel like baby is literally stuck like glue to me when I'm carrying, so I NEED the wrap to stay in place and not start to make my lower back hurt with any sag. This wrap did well with that- it was very easy to tighten, and the thinness helped with the ease of strand by strand tightening. I did, however, find it to be sightly diggy on the shoulders. Sandwiching the wrap over the shoulders (folding it, so you've got two layers of wrap) would help add a bit of cushion. Once properly wrapped it was actually quite supportive and held in place very well.

There isn't much texture to this wrap, but the grip is still there. I'm not sure what the qualities of cashmere add to a wrap, as this is the first wrap I've tried in this blend, but it gave me a feeling of luxury when wrapping with it. (Maybe that's cause I knew the price??!)

This wrap would be wonderful for a dressy occasion- the colours and design lend itself to fancier carries and I think it would really grab people's attention, if that's what you're after.

I'd recommend this wrap to someone with a larger stash, as this isn't an everyday workhorse type of wrap. Suitable for new babies, until maybe 25-30lbers, but not for long periods of time. It's not exactly a soft and cushy wrap, instead it feels like a fancy scarf. For someone looking for an exclusive, luxurious yet not impossible to find machine woven, you can't go wrong with this Oscha.

Oscha Liberty Escalus
Blue/rose (or eggplant/hot pink!)
45% cashmere/55% cotton
Size 5

Have you tried this wrap? I'm interested in trying another of the Liberty wraps- I love this design!

Didymos April Hemp Indio

I scored a great deal on a Didymos April Hemp Indio (AHI) from a retailer here in Canada. I'd been dying to try out a hemp indio, and I had been looking for something in a green colourway so when I saw this beauty and the gorgeous contrast of the lime green and royal blue I jumped at the chance to own this wrap.

My first impression as I took this wrap out of the box was that of a strarched tablecloth: stiff, crunchy, and thin. It did, however, practically shine and the striking boldness of the colours was simply amazing. The freshness of the green mixed with the bright royal blue were the perfect mix. This wrap is sophisticated, and would probably suit so many different colourings.

I immediately put April into a nice warm wash, followed by a warm toss around in the dryer and immediately she softened up. A fluffy, hempy layer sprang up from the once sleek weave and she was ready to go. If I remember correctly, this was the first size 5 wrap that I owned, so it took a while for me to figure out what carries would work best with April. I immediately noticed that the wrap seemed a little thin for my tastes. The rails were tight and a bit diggy, so even in a FWCC it was a bit uncomfortable tying off. I actually found this wrap difficult to adjust on the passes, but they definitely stayed put once I got them where I wanted them.

Enjoying some April snuggles!

After a couple of braids, and spending some time with my boys in the living room, AHI softened up quite a bit. I think hemps in general need some attention and love to reach their full potential.
They just seem to get softer and more moldable the more you use them.

After a few weeks at our place, April moved on to another home. I simply found I wasn't reaching for this wrap as much as I expected to. Maybe it was the dark, cold Montreal winter that didn't allow me to fully enjoy this wrap or maybe it was because it was simply not smooshy and cuddly enough for what I wanted at the time. I am very much looking forward to trying out many more hemp indios, there are so many colourways and I have heard they all wrap so differently.

I'd recommend this wrap to someone who looking for a thin, supportive wrap. Hemp is known to be more supportive than a simple cotton blend and Didymos is known for their great hemp indios. The colour (as usual, I am raving about the colour!) is amazing. The texture of the wrap is understated, but you can tell it's there. It helps keep a nice grippy knot and this wrap can rock many different carries without any trouble. I'd say it would be great for a newbie. Easy to care for, and with the usual hemp nubbies you don't to worry about babying this wrap.

I would probably not recommend this wrap for someone looking for "cush" or "stretch". I didn't find this wrap had a whole lot of either. If it came in a thicker version I'd be curious to try, as I think that might make it a perfect fit for me.



Didymos April Hemp Indio
55% cotton/ 45% hemp
Blue/Green
Size 5

Thoughts on April Hemp Indio? Did I miss out on a gem? What indio would you recommend I try next?

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