Review: Artipoppe Argus Revo

Revo, oh beautiful Revo.
This pretty much sums up my feelings towards this wrap, I really can’t get enough of it. Revo, is the colourway in this Artipoppe Argus. Artipoppe is a very new company on the market, their first release was in April. Their aim is the niche collecting market, so the runs of the wraps are very small, though still being machine woven. Artipoppe is based in the Netherlands and truly uses the highest quality materials, Revo is 100% Egyptian Cotton, but others include cashmere, linen and yes if you can believe it baby camel hair. Truly a luxury wrap brand.
 

"Wrong Side" out

I can only speak to the amazingness of Revo, since I have never seen any other Artipoppe’s in real life. But Revo is oh so sweet. It hands down is the softest wrap I have ever felt. It was smooth out of the bag, but after just one wash it was fluffy and felt like a well broken in wrap. To the touch you can feel the pattern, but it is not a grippy wrap.

loving it with a teething toddler 

Perfect knots

I have a size 2, running a long 3 meters, which is my absolute perfect length. I can do all my favourite carries in this size, Double Hammock Rebozo, Coolest Hip Carry, and Double Hammock Torso Carry, and if I am really on my tightening game I can Double Hammock Tied at Shoulder. I find this wrap so great to use, it glides smoothly into place, which is how I can get the extra length for the longer carries. And once on it is so comfortable, it has just the right amount of bounce for that lovely cush on the shoulders. Plus once tied the knots are so perfectly beautiful because of the thinness. Just a pleasure to use, I would be definitely seek out another Artipoppe, but they are pretty hard to come by.

Looks pretty fab in my wrap basket

Festivities!!

So I have the most kind husband ever, it is my birthday tomorrow and he decided to give me my present early so I could use it. He got me this:

A new bike (well new to me) with a lovely basket in the back. The basket had a few plants for our garden and a lovely dress too!!

When we go for bike rides, my husband has Miles on his bike, so there was the most lovely thought behind this basket. He got this so I could carry my wraps in it, I could not be any more lucky!

So here it is in action with a wrap.

And the wrap in action. What a lovely day.

Sparsity

Today we didn't have much wrapping time, we were playing so much and working really gets in the way of it. But the one "up" we had today was amazing, so many cuddles! There is something truly special about wrapping a toddler.

please not my son flipping you the bird :)

You have moments where they are messing up your hair, or jumping in the wrap. That is once you have finally burned off all their energy, so they will agree to be wrapped. 

Then those hectic moments are mirrored by this, complete love and snuggles. I don't prefer one over the other, but I do miss these special calm moments on days like today. Days that are practically void of any of these snuggles, whether wild or tame.

Feature Company: Didymos

Didymos Indio Karibik

Didymos is one of the oldest and most established of the wrap manufactures, it was founded in 1972. They have had the time to perfect their product, and create a vast standard line, plus numerous limited editions. Lately, it seems like some of the history of this amazing brand is slipping through our fingers. So the purpose of this post is to entice you to look more, as there have been some old, very hard to find Indios just sitting on the swap at CRAZY good prices.

 

Didymos Aqua Pfau

There are a few reasons for the decline in the Didy craze. One of them is people moving away from Thebabywearer.com, yes facebook is extremely easy to use and quick, but it is not an accurate archive or amazing resource, so I am going to provide you with a few links to awesome threads and other websites. Another reason is the influx of new “hot” companies, Didymos has held the test of time, their flock will eventually come back I am sure of it.

Didymos Orient

But as for product, Didy carries a few “standard” lines, Stripes, Double Face, Indio and Jacquard. And within those categories there are limited addition wraps. From my personal experience with Didymos, I have never been disappointed, yes they have their odd flop, but consistently they show a comfortable, beautiful, moldable product that I am always proud to wear.

Didymos Black and White Old Standard

http://www.didymos.de/en/Babywearing/DIDYMOS-Baby-Wrap-Sling/
http://www.birdiesroom.com/c-403-didymos-wraps.aspx
http://wovenwrapsdatabase.com/
http://slingsthings.blogspot.ca/
http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/showthread.php?518325-FAVORITE-classic-wraps-and-links-to-chatter-threads&highlight=indios
http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/showthread.php?138689-Woven-Wraps-Color-Chart&highlight=indios
http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/showthread.php?468637-*UPDATED-6-3-13*-Didymos-LEs-by-Date-(w-Chatter-Thread)&highlight=indios

http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/showthread.php?339230-To-all-vintage-Didy-Geeks!-26-years-old-booklet 

Didymos Nature Linen Indio

Warped and Wonderful: Review

So I had the privilege of hosting a Warped and Wonderful tester for a week a few weeks ago. I was super excited about this one, because there is so much talk over these beautiful handwovens! Warped and Wonderful wraps are the handiwork of the lovely Vila Cox, in Boise Idaho. She has so many great resources to get to know more about her and her work, here are some:

http://www.warpedandwonderful.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Warped-Wonderful-Handwoven-Treasures/241360532566599?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/groups/WWLove/?fref=ts

http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/showthread.php?507592-Warped-and-Wonderful&highlight=Warped+Wonderful

http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/showthread.php?498091-Warped-and-Wonderful-wraps-review&highlight=Warped+Wonderful

There truly is so much information out there about these wraps, but nothing really compares to trying it yourself.

This is a size 7 in the "Fern" pattern, in Peacock. I have to admit I was a little overwhelmed by the size, my base size is a 4 so I had tails to my ankles in DH with a half knot chest belt. Plus this conveniently came during an early May heat wave, so it was a wee bit steamy. 

In hand this wrap feels quite a bit heftier than any other wrap I have felt, yet still had an airy sense to it. The weaving is immaculate, such a treat to look at, and as an added bonus the threads have a shimmer to them which is quite lovely!  

When it came down to wrapping with it, it was a bit of a workout, part because of the length and also because of the thickness and grip. The wrap has a good amount of grip to it, so it stays in place quite well. Once wrapped, Fern was rock solid, even a sloppy wrap job was comfortable. There is a great stretch to Fern, so the wrap moves with you as you walk, but not in an "hurt the shoulders" kind of way. It truly was a lovely wrap, and I really enjoyed the time I had with it.

Finally on it's last day here, our weather cooled down and I didn't feel crazy hot in this wrap. So we had a LONG wrap nap and my shoulders were thanking me that I used Fern. I was definitely sad to see this go, but if I was to seek out a Warped and Wonderful of my own I think it would have to be a shorty, preferably a size 2. It has all the best qualities of an amazing shorty, it has cush that goes on for days, visual impact and long lasting hold, to me that spells a perfect 10 in a DH Rebozo (my favourite carry).

Getting Your Money's Worth

There really is no need for more than two wraps, one short and one long. People will argue for days whether or not there is a need for any at all, but I am firm in my belief that if you want to wrap your baby two is a must. But when you have the disposable income and you are really interested in wraps, your stash might grow, and grow and grow and.....well grow.

In January, my stash (collection of wraps) filled only half the cupboard in the photo below, I had 5 wraps. I tell you this interest is a slippery slope, I am now up to twelve. TWELVE! that is craziness, how did this happen? Well to tell you the truth I am not unhappy about it, nor do I feel like I have wasted my money. I only buy things when I have money to pay for them and I try to keep my stash in check.

One way to know that I am keeping my stash in check is to sometimes have my wrap storage look like this:

I know when I see all the wraps tussled and tossed that I am really using them. That, yes I don't need all these wraps, but at least I am using them all. I know from every wrinkle on every wrap that I have had so many sweet snuggles with my little boy, and I think that is something to be cherished.

Every time my stash gets to this point I take the time to fold and put them away properly, I get to appreciate these wraps in a different way, as pieces of art. They make my bedroom look colourful and vibrant. So I think a post fold photo is very necessary.

I also then get a chance to assess my stash, see what I am using and what I am not. If a wrap is still folded, I take the time to think about it. Was it folded last time I had to do my "big fold", if it was it may be time to consider letting that one go. Sometimes this is hard because somehow you form sentimental attachments to these pieces of fabric. But in the end if you pass it along to another Mum it will be getting the love and use it deserves. 

Right now I have found I have two wraps consistently folded, so it comes time to suck it up and list one of them. The other is a wool blend and just needs to be stored until next fall. The exciting thing about selling something is then you have the funds available for something else, maybe a new release? (the true sign of a wrap addict, always searching for your next score).

Post Fold Photo and the Break Down:

Left to Right, Top to Bottom:            
Artipoppe Argus Revo 2            Didymos BHP 4 (Temp Trade)   Didymos Orient 3   Didymos Indio Karibik 2
Pavo Parterre Fawn 3 (Traveller) Oscha JKSC   4 (Traveller)        Oscha SNV 4/5      Oscha Strato Aequus 2
Didymos NLI 4                          Oscha Zen Roses 7                 Vatanai Solsbury 4 Oscha Braid Pine 4
Missing:                                                                                 Storch Leo B&W 5
Linuschka Kalejdoskop Lila 5 (Temp Trade)
Hoppediz Osaka 8 (On the Way)

Silence

We have been fairly inconsistent at best over the past 6 weeks, so my goal is to keep at it even with this long break. We have had a friend living with us for that period of time and she left today. I feel a bit heartbroken, for me because I am not going to see my friend everyday, but also for Miles. He grew to love her and expect her to be here when he woke up. So we most likely will be going through a bit of an adjustment.

So as we work back into the swing of things, here is a preview of what is to come in the next few weeks, there are some exciting things a-brewing here, and somethings I need to catch up on.

Pavo Review

Oh the things you can do!

Warped and Wonderful Review

Final Addition in Getting Your Baby on Your Back

Baby? Travel? No Stroller? NO WAY....

So in a few weeks my husband, son and I will be heading on a very long journey. I have been feeling pretty nervous about it, especially when I think of all the stuff we have to bring. One thing that will lighten the load is babywearing, so the plan is to travel from BC Canada to Estonia strollerless, are we crazy? I don't think so...

Didymos Indio Karibik 2

So just to test the water and see if we were crazy we went on two mini trips (not just for this reason) and I brought 3 wraps each time and my husband brought a Mei Tai.

The first leg of our trip to Seattle was a ferry ride!

I have to say there is definitely no need for a stroller on a ferry full of stairs. I would of had to pace the boat looking for an elevator, instead I had time for a cuddled up dance party. 

We apparently thought taking pictures in Seattle was for chumps, but I can assure you we were there and it was fun! As for the no stroller it was great, I wrapped my son and walked around the whole downtown. It was great because I didn't have to weave around people or navigate tiny isles in shops. When it came napping time, my son cuddled up on me and slept great.  Plus I didn't feel any pain whatsoever. This is the amazing thing about wraps, they are completely adjustable so it will fit to your body's needs perfectly.

We then took a road trip up Vancouver Island, to Tofino (a tiny surf town with an amazing forest). 

Oscha Braid Pine 4

Sometimes and I mean by that a lot of the time, choosing the wraps you wear/bring is part of the fun. I was pretty excited to bring my Oscha Braid Pine into the Red Wood forest, Cathedral grove. It was majestic, plus my son was at eye level with me so he could see the beauty and touch things too.

Wrapping was great for impromptu walks, no need to get a stroller from the car and set it up. Plus I didn't need to lug it down to the beach.

Vatanai Solsbury 4

The beach, man was wrapping perfect for it. There would have been no way to get a stroller down to the sand, so I would have been stuck carrying Miles and all the beach gear, truly a life saver. Also awesome for my son who unexpectedly wouldn't let his feet touch sand for the first day, I could carry him to the water and my arms didn't hurt.

We also went for a walk in the rainforest and this board walk/stairway was the whole path. I would have had to stay in the car if it wasn't for babywearing. Plus my son was asleep (transfered from his carseat) and got to have an amazing nature nap. I was a little jealous of that.

So from this experiment I no longer have any fears about not bringing a stroller on our journey. I actually couldn't be more excited. I get to be less loaded down with stuff and get snuggles from my growing boy. 

We're Back!

Back from our vacation and it was so unseasonably warm here, so we had an awesome time! I have an awesome post for tomorrow, but for now I will leave you with this teaser photo.

Farideh Wraps: Review

My sister and I have had the privilege of trying out our friend Megan's custom wrap by Farideh over the past few weeks. With new weavers or companies it  is alway a plus to get other peoples' opinions on the wrapping qualities of a wrap, so you know what you are getting into before you take the plunge and purchase.

With this wrap there are a few special circumstances. This wrap is handwoven, so in turn that means it isn't a readily available wrap that you can just purchase. As of now the custom list is closed, but they will come up again and there are, what they call "sister wraps" that come available. A "sister" is a wrap from the warp of another person's custom. These are handled through a few people so availability isn't open to the general public at the moment. So if you are afraid of reading this, falling in love and wanting one, you might want to stop now; or if you are like me and want to know what you are missing read on. 

Jamie's Review:

First off I want to talk about the mechanics of the wrap. Farideh has used a plain weave for this 4.5 m long 27 inch wide custom, she has used other weaving techniques in other wraps but this one is pretty straightforward. She has used all cotton for this one, but again there is a wide variety of fibres available to you, in this particular wrap she uses 8/2 cotton. She has used Maurice Brassard thread, and if you want to check out all the options of colours/fibres and really geek out, here you go:

http://www.mbrassard.com/produits-ang.html

As for beauty the photos really show what words can't describe, it is stunning. The colour gradation flows smoothly throughout the wrap and the choices Megan made I find super appealing. I must note a few things with the weaving that took me by surprise though. There are a few skipped threads throughout the wrap.

These photos also give an awesome detail of the weave

And the raw selvage edges are less than perfect. I must note that this may be because this is Farideh's very first custom and having impeccable edges may come with time. 

This shows the airiness of the weave really well too

I also would like to stress that these are all cosmetic things, and in no way affect the integrity of the wrap in any way. Also just spoke with Megan and from her conversations with Farideh the selvage issue is being address now. 

As for wrapping, I have LOVED wrapping with this custom. I primarily wrap with shorter wraps, but it was easy to make an exception for this one. It is light in hand but I would not call it a thin wrap, I would call it an airy weave. When wrapping it does have some grip, so it doesn't glide into passes, but it isn't an arduous task either. But that grip is incredible once wrapped, there is no need to double knot when you tie off, the wrap stays put. Once wrapped it is utterly weightless, truly amazing.

I thought I would give it a really tough final exam, today was the 10km run/walk in our city, and this wrap was going to make a showing. I wrapped my 22 lbs son up in a Double Hammock and set off to walk (I don't run) the 10km with my family and friend. The walk took just over 2 hours, with a short dance party to one of the bands on the side lines, while my mom went to the washroom. Dance party and all, I had to do no adjusting, no retying, not even knot tightening. While the people on the side lines cheered us on my son jumped and jumped and jumped, something that would have popped even the best seat. At the end of the race, not one thing hurt on my body except for my feet, because I have no suitable shoes. My shoulders would have felt the same even if I had no baby on my back, I have never felt this kind of comfort in a wrap after wearing it for so long. 

Apparently we were both offended by something in this photo

5km in not feeling a thing

The only issue I have with this wrap, is that I don't have the funds to afford it. It is totally worth the investment.

Rhianna's Review:

I used this wrap for a couple of short trips and one long stroll and nap (3ish hours). I won't lie, I was hoping to hate it. Here's what I told myself, the price is high, the rails appear lacking (Jamie has touched on this sufficiently), it feels a bit textured or grippy for my taste - this is going to be the worst.

Sad news for a person on the wrap buying wagon - it is THE best. I can't compare to the famed uppy as I've always been to chicken to try one. But I have tried lots of wraps and this is amazing.

The wrap is thinner in hand, but sturdy and dense. Its soft and easy to tighten. I'm a comparatively lazy wrapper and this wrap was so easy to manipulate I actually followed through with getting all of the slack out. The wrap glides smoothly over itself but has enough texture that a double knot is really unnecessary (though for safety reasons I'll let you decide that yourself). After a walk/nap I came home with my son wrapped and still sleeping, I untied my knot, and undid the cross passes in FWCC and the wrap didn't move a mm for the rest of his nap. It really just stays put.

After being untied for an entire nap

The wrap is beautiful, easy to use and really comfortable. Essentially, I wish I never tried it. Because it has two downfalls; that I'd have to sell a few wraps to afford it and that even if I could afford it I wouldn't be able to buy one anytime soon.