Little Fellows 'Cloudy with a Chance of Rainbows'

Brand: Little Fellows
Type: Cloudy with a Chance of Rainbows.
Blend: 30% cotton, 20% linen, 50% mercerised cotton.
Size: 5

I was very lucky to win a Little Fellows 'golden ticket' a couple of months ago, meaning I had a stalk-free-pass to purchase an in stock wrap. Little Fellows wraps are woven by a lovely friend just down the road from me in Gloucester. I am already lucky enough to own one Little Fellows wrap, and when I saw the first pictures of the 'Cloudy' wraps, I knew this would be the perfect wrap to fill the rainbow gap in my stash.
Cloudy is stunning! The colours are perfectly balanced and the streaks of grey throughout the design add detail and interest to a classic rainbow pattern. I love how there are several shades of each colour used in each section adding depth to the design. My wrap has half periwinkle weft and half a silvery blue/grey. The change in weft is subtle, and reminds me of the changes in shadows on a cloudy day.
Cloudy is soft and cushy, with the mercerised cotton giving it a very gentle sheen. It already feels blankety soft. It has a nice amount of stretch, but without being saggy. The linen content adds the perfect amount of support without compromising the softness.
This beautiful wrap is a pleasure to wrap with. It glides into place, and has an amazing amount of cush, without being overly thick. It works equally well in a single layer ruck as it does in a multi-layer carry. I used it today in a 'Robin's Hip Carry' for quite some time, and found it perfectly comfortable with my large toddler. Unlike the hemp-blend Little Fellows that I already own (and love), Cloudy doesn't need any breaking in, and would work equally well with a newborn as it does with my toddler.
I'm enjoying this wrap so much! Its such a fun, colourful design, and it obviously appeals to my little boy aswell!

The weft change.

Review: Baie Slings Trowen Green Jasper

Brand: Baie Slings
Type: Trowen Green Jasper
Blend: 79% combed cotton, 21% linen
Size: long size 2 (approx 3 metres)

I was really delighted when I was asked to test and review Trowen Jasper, the latest creation by Baie Slings, which is being released tomorrow. It arrived earlier in the week, and I've spent the last few days trying it out in various different carries.
On first appearance, Jasper is beautiful. It is a deep bottle green, with a soft jade colour, which in some lights gives it the appearance of having a slightly blue haze. In most lights though, it is a deep forest green, and looks equally appealing on both sides.
I knew that this wrap weighed 315gsm, which is quite heavy for a woven wrap, so I was really intrigued about the feel of this wrap. This tester wrap has already had some use, so I was told that it was partially broken in.
On arrival, I was delighted to find that it wasn't as thick as I had expected. The feel of this wrap oozes quality, and it has a lovely drape, despite not yet being fully broken in. It feels strong and sturdy without being too chunky. Rather than reminding me of a cuddly blanket like some of the other Trowen wraps have, Jasper reminds me of the feel of a very soft denim, and has a lovely amount of diagonal stretch. It is quite mouldable, and I'm sure it's mouldability will increase as it continues to break-in.
I don't often use a size 2 wrap, so I took the opportunity to try out a few new carries! The first one I tried was a Shepherd's Carry with ring sling finish. The wrap felt quite grippy when pulling the pass across, but this got easier each time I tried the carry. However, once in place it felt solid, and incredibly supportive. I also tried a simple ruck, and have to say that this wrap was wonderful! It really triumphs in a single layer carry, as it is so supportive, and I would personally prefer it in a single layer carry during the hottest days of summer. Jasper doesn't have quite as much cush on the shoulders as some of the other Trowen wraps, but I certainly didn't find it diggy at all.
I also used Jasper in a Double Hammock Rebozo. I had to pay a little more attention to tightening than usual, due to the slight grippiness, but again, when in place it was a totally supportive carry. I also really enjoyed Jasper in a simple rebozo, and found it very comfortable for quite a long period of time. There is no sag in this wrap, so when in place it is totally supportive. 
This is another beautiful creation from Baie Slings. It has some slightly different characteristics compared to some of their previous wraps, but still retains the overall quality and aesthetics that we have grown to love from Baie Slings. For more details about the release tomorrow, check out Baie Slings website!

(We have found the colour of Jasper quite difficult to 

capture accurately in a photograph. The top two pictures 

below appear most accurate on my computer screen)

Comparison top to bottom: Trowen Jasper, Filigree Limerick, Trowen Ebony/Teal. To the side: Trowen Emerald/Ecru. (The colours in this picture appear very accurate on my computer screen).

Review: Tinge Garden Scarlet

Brand: Tinge Garden
Type: Scarlet (tester)
Blend: 100% cotton
Size: 6

I have to admit that I was a little disappointed when I missed out on getting one of these beautiful Tinge Garden wraps when they were released a little while ago. So when I was offered the opportunity to try this beautiful tester wrap, I was delighted to accept!
This wrap is really striking! The red and white contrast is really beautiful in this quirky retro style pattern and it looks equally good on either side. The middle marker is small and neat and the hems are neatly stitched.
As this tester has been tried by quite a few people now, it arrived feeling beautifully soft. It is quite densely woven, and very sturdy for 100% cotton without being overly thick. It feels quite smooth without being slippery at all, and it wraps easily. Scarlet has the perfect amount of stretch which allows it to mould around you and your child perfectly, and then holds in place without any sag. I have really enjoyed trying this wrap, and have found it really comfortable and supportive with my large toddler. 
Although it will soon continue on its travels, at least I have a Scarlet scarf that my husband bought me for my birthday last week. Despite the hot weather, my new scarf has been getting a fair bit of use as a toy sling for my son! I will definitely be claiming it back when the weather gets cooler though!

Review: Baie Slings 'Milk' Ring Sling

Brand: Baie Slings
Type: Milk (tester)
Blend: 75% combed cotton, 25% hemp
Size: Ring Sling

I was particularly excited when this travelling tester ring sling arrived at my door a few days ago, as I have been keen to try out one of Baie Slings' hemp blend wraps for a little while. This tester is a ring sling in the 'Milk' design, which is the same pattern at Magma and Calypso, but in a natural, creamy colour. The pattern appears to be the slightly larger scale version, similar to Calypso, and slightly larger than Magma. As with all the previous Baie Slings, this one arrived feeling soft and ready to try.
The colour isn't easy to capture in a picture, as it appears slightly different in different lights. It goes from a creamy magnolia colour, to sometimes appearing slightly peachy in warm lights. It is subtle and elegant, and would be gorgeous for a special occasion!
The creamy side is smooth with a subtle shine, and the paler side has slightly more texture, plus some of the slubs you typically expect with hemp blend wraps. The wrap adjusts perfectly through the rings, and stays in place well. I found it very supportive with my large 2.5 year old, and we were both very comfortable whilst using it for quite some time.
According to the Baie Slings website, Milk weighs in at 247gsm. In hand, it feels fairly airy, and not particularly thick, but with 75% combed, it still has a lovely amount of cush.
I've not always opted for lighter colours, as I'm always afraid of them getting dirty. However, Milk has really captured my heart. It feels very sturdy, so I certainly wouldn't be afraid of washing it when needed, and I really love this colour with my son's blonde hair. I'm keeping my fingers-crossed that I get lucky in bringing home a Milk ring sling of my own when they are released in the near future. The recent Baie Slings releases have sold out increasingly quickly, so if you're interested in 'Milk', make sure you keep an eye on Baie Slings' website and Facebook page for release details!

Review: Baie Slings Calypso

Brand: Baie Slings
Type: Calypso
Blend: 100% combed cotton
Size: 5

This beautiful blue wrap arrived on my doorstep a few weeks ago now, and has been one of our most used wraps ever since! Another beautiful wrap from Baie Slings, Calypso is the same pattern as previously released Magma, but in a different colourway and larger scale pattern. Although the Trowen pattern has been my favourite from Baie Slings, I couldn't resist the beautiful blue colour of Calypso, so decided to order. I'm so glad I did, as this wrap is really striking in person, and really wonderful to wrap with, and has become one of my very favourite Baie Slings wraps.
The larger scale pattern and slightly smoother feel of Calypso makes it very easy to wrap with, and easy to tighten in a multi-layer carry. The combed cotton gives it a wonderful soft, cushy feel, making it very comfortable when wrapped. It arrived feeling beautifully soft and ready to use. I really love the appearance of the larger scale pattern, and in this striking blue colour combination, it reminds me of water whirlpools. As with all Baie Slings wraps, each hem is stitched in a different direction, meaning there is no 'wrong' side to this wrap. The hems are immaculately stitched with very neat little middle markers. Calypso is supportive with my large toddler, helped by the fact it is easy to wrap with, allowing me to get a better, more supportive wrap job each time. It would also be wonderful with a little baby, as it is so soft and cuddly.
I'm so pleased to see this wonderful, friendly company going from strength to strength, with their latest release selling out super fast! I always look forward to seeing what Baie Slings are doing next!

Comparison: Calypso and Magma

Review: Weave Me a Sheep Avalon

Brand: Weave Me a Sheep
Type: Avalon
Blend: 100% organic cotton
Size: 3.8m

 This beautiful handwoven wrap is visiting us for a week or so. It is woven by a newcomer to the handwoven wrap scene, my lovely friend Helen from Weave Me Sheep. This is one of her first woven wraps, and was created for a competition in a Facebook group. The design takes inspiration from Glastonbury Tor.
I was really intrigued to try this wrap, and was very excited when a friend passed it onto me at a sling meet last week. The first thing that struck me was that this didn't look like the work of a novice. It is beautifully woven, and I'm really impressed with how perfect it is! The the edges are amazingly straight, and I haven't spotted any flaws in the weave. In hand, Avalon is soft and floppy, with some stretch to it. 
I've played with it quite extensively over the last few days and have tried front, back and hip carries, in both single and double layers. Overall, I prefer it in a double layer carry with my huge 2 year old, but it would definitely be supportive enough in a single-layer with a smaller child. I've found it easy to wrap with, and easy to pull the passes across. I have a personal preference for hemmed edges on a handwoven, as I find it easier to tighten the top rail when I have a hemmed edge to pull across. Avalon is un-hemmed and I always seemed to have a little slack in the top rail (and Joey managed to pop the seat once due to the stretchiness of the bottom rail). However, I know others prefer the edges un-hemmed on a handwoven, so this is really personal preference. 
I really adore the colours, and the overall look of the design. I have to admit that I will genuinely feel really sad about sending it on. I hope the next person enjoys it as much as we have! I can confidently say that Weave Me a Sheep is one to watch!

Review: Diva Milano Essenza (tester)

Brand: Diva Milano
Type: Essenza Lilla
Size: 6
Blend: 100% cotton

This beautiful tester wrap is currently travelling around the country, and I was delighted that it was able to stay with me for a couple of weeks. I've never tried a Diva Milano wrap before, so had no prior expectations for this wrap.
My immediate reaction on first seeing the wrap was that is was a very classy pattern and really pretty colour. On first holding the wrap, I was surprised at how robust it felt, especially for 100% cotton. The sophisticated appearance of the wrap made me think that it would be light and delicate to touch, but it is actually a very sturdy cotton, feeling medium-thick, and has a texture which actually reminds me of a hemp blend wrap. Despite having been thoroughly tested by a variety of people before me, it still looks in beautiful condition, with no obvious pulls or flaws.
Having already been to about 5 other people before it arrived here, this wrap is now feeling pretty soft and mouldable, although I understand from previous testers that it was quite beastly to begin with. The first carry I tried was a double hammock, and I have to admit that it took me a little longer than usual to pull all the slack across, as the wrap felt quite grippy. However, when I had the wrap securely in place, I was delighted to find that it was incredibly comfortable. It held in place perfectly, and even after a while with my large 2 year old, I was still comfortable and the wrap had not sagged at all.
I tried several other carries, including a FWCC, which was easy to adjust, and was also very comfortable when in place. I don't always find a FWCC comfortable for extended periods now that my son is so big, but the grippiness held this wrap in place beautifully, even as Joey had a nap.
I have to admit to being pleasantly surprised by this wrap. Despite the fact that I had never tried a Diva Milano wrap before, and therefore had no expectations in that way, I think I've always seen the delicate, sophisticated designs on Diva Milano wraps as something I would be nervous about using on an everyday basis, with the worry that the wrap would also be delicate. I have to admit though, that I would happily use this wrap anywhere, as it feels so sturdy I wouldn't worry about pulling it through the mud and having to wash it repeatedly! Now that is is broken in, this would make a wonderful birth to toddler wrap. It is available in a variety of different colour combinations, and is part of Diva Milano's Essenza range, which is their more affordable range of slings.
This lovely wrap will now continue on its travels.

Review: Woven Wings Light Feathers

Brand: Woven Wngs
Type: Light Feathers
Blend: 73% cotton, 27% wool.
Size: 2

I pre-ordered this beautiful wrap back in October, during Woven Wing's first ever release (which sold out in less than 24 hours), before I had even had the chance to try out the tester wrap that travelled my way (reviewed here). This is one of two designs released so far, and it arrived safely back in January (well within the predicted time frame for the preorder).
Light feathers is such a pretty wrap. It has a lovely delicate, detailed pattern, and is the colour of a Blue Spruce tree (one of our favourite plants!). It arrived in perfect condition, with neatly stitched hems, and feeling beautifully soft, not needing any breaking-in at all! The merino wool doesn't make this wrap feel itchy, but does add a lovely blankety feel. Its not a particularly thick wrap, and has a fairly tight weave. 
On first appearance the wrap seemed narrower than any of my other wraps, and measuring at 61cm, it is probably the narrowest wrap I have at the moment. However, as you can see in my photographs, this has not prevented me from getting a lovely deep seat, and still having the wrap all the way up my son's back. Light Feathers has a lovely amount of diagonal stretch, which seems to help create a lovely seat, meaning the narrower width is far less noticeable than you would expect when wrapping with it. The wrap is also quite a short size 2 (currently measuring 2.63m, soft tape in hand), but I can still comfortably tie a ruck tied at the shoulder. However, if you are someone who likes longer tails to tie with, you may want to order a size longer than you would normally choose. 
I am really enjoying using this gorgeous wrap. It has a very luxurious feel and finish, and supports my toddler's weight beautifully. It makes a very supportive one shouldered rebozo carry, and a slip-knot adjusts easily. The middle markers are lovely and neat and it arrived in a very sophisticated black cloth bag.
I am really intrigued to see what Woven Wings will be doing next! I can't wait to see more blends and patterns, and I am sure that Light Feather won't be the only Woven Wings wrap to become part of my collection. Congratulations to Woven Wings on a very successful first release!