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

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