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

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

Firespiral Albus Twilight Starmap

"A hand drawn map of the stars"...yes please!

I'm into all things astrology and have always had a love for star signs and all things celestial, so this wrap just called my name. It came to me as a visitor, and I would love to one day have my own.

Albus is a blend of merino wool (25%) and combed cotton (75%). It is an extremely soft and touchable wool blend. Wool in wraps just always seems to prove me wrong- I am always expecting something sweater like and scratchy, and up to date, the wool wraps I've tried have all been quite comfortable and unexpectedly silky.

Albus is listed at 240 g/m2, but it feels a bit thicker to me. It has an airy weave, but this wrap begs to be worn on a crisp day. The deep indigo colour, the warmth of the wrap in hand, and the squishy feeling it gives off all lend itself to a jeans and sweater babywearing kind of day.

There is a slight stretch to the weave, but nothing compared to some other wraps I've tried. I tried this in a size 2, and wrapping with a shorty is a good way for me to test the supportiveness of a wrap. My preferred carry in a size 2 is HJBC and Albus did a great job of wrapping neatly and providing great support for my 22lb 1 year old. I didn't have any trouble getting the passes to glide up and over his big cloth diaper butt, which can sometimes be an issue, especially with a shorty.  The tapers compare to those of an Oscha or maybe closer to a Pavo, so there was no trouble tying in the tippy tails and still managing to have a small, neat little knot.

The design on this wrap is just amazing. It isn't kitchy at all in the way the stars are aligned. It almost looks like a Pollock style smattering of stars down the middle of the wrap, just floating in the weave, with a star chart grid coming from both rails. Surprisingly, I prefer the wrong side out (the white wool side) but either side looks amazing when wrapped. Of course, none of my action shots show the white side- that's the nature of my current "take photos for the blog" practice- little to no preparation. ;)

 I would love to try this wrap in a longer size to get a better idea of different carries it might do well in, but my general opinion is that it would be great in any size. It's supportive, yet soft- so it would be great for a new wrapper with a small or newborn baby. I can just imagine wrapping a new baby in this and having them snuggled up on a cool day- ahh! But, since wool is very breathable, you could also take out an older child on a warmer day and be perfectly comfortable. I think the only thing missing from this wrap might be a bit more stretch- if that could just be added on I think this is a wrap that would stick around this churner's house for quite a while.

Tell me your thoughts on Albus, the indigo and white starmap. Were you as impressed with the snuggly and soft qualities as I was?

Firespiral Albus Twilight Starmap
25% merino wool, 74% combed cotton
Indigo/white
Size 2

Oscha Strato Rosaline

I recently borrowed a friend's size 2 Oscha Strato Rosaline. This lovely wrap is described on the Oscha website as "deep blue mohair with wool, and deep purple cotton warp...mmmmmm! This fabric is remarkable as the mohair/wool yarn is so silky and fine...not at all mo-hairy! Just mohair soft. 25% mohair, 25% wool, 50% cotton."

 You can tell right away that this wrap contains a blend of wool, as it has that signature wooly roughness to it. It's not a bad thing, as it definitely does add to the texture and grip of the wrap. I wouldn't necessarily call it silky as Oscha does, but it certainly has a luxurious feeling to it.
I really like the way Strato wraps. There is a surprising amount of stretch, if you tug on the diagonal you'll see just how much give this wrap has- it's actually quite amazing. As with most Oscha wraps the colour is dead on. I'm not sure where the "blue" comes into play from their description, as I see only shades of purple when I look at this wrap, but they are my favorite shades. So rich, deep, and a perfect contrast.

Because this is a size 2, it's more limiting in terms of the carries I was able to try. I can't seem to rock a shepard's carry in a 2, but I managed to get both my guys into some very comfy rucks and a HJBC with a CCCB with the little one. There are no diggy rails with this wrap, just comfort and cushiness. It's more supportive because of the blend- and comfortable support is key with a shorty. Although Oscha's tapers are not very long, it seems to finish off with a great tight knot which is a great quality for me, as I'm usually tying in the tails in a shorty. 

I also tried this wrap using sling rings, which is a new technique for me. It made a wonderful no-sew ring sling, and it also really showcased the beauty of the wrap. Have I mentioned Rosaline also rocks a rebozo? Well, she does! 

I'd recommend this wrap to pretty much everyone. In fact, I think I even convinced a stranger on the internet to buy one I saw for sale, that's how much I've enjoyed this one. I will probably hide it when my friend comes over to reclaim it. I think Oscha hit the mark with this one. I can see this wrap shining as a shorty or a longer wrap. I'm interested to see how she fairs in the humid summer here in Montreal. The true test of a wrap...

I probably wouldn't recommend this wrap to someone specifically looking for a thicker, beastly type of wrap or someone looking for a soft and smooth wrap. Rosaline is neither of those things. She shines perfectly as the beauty that she is.

What do you think of Strato Rosaline? Love this wrap as much as I do? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Oscha Strato Rosaline

Deep Purple

25% mohair, 25% wool, 50% cotton

Size 2