Navigating the woven wrap world, part 1

Used under the Creative Commons license through Flickr. Photography by ithilhin

(This blog post is the first in a series about choosing and using a woven wrap.)

So you want to buy a wrap. You have decided you love the versatility and comfort of wrapping, and you want to dive right in. But if you Google “woven wrap” you are overwhelmed with the number of options and do not know where to start. So many photos of sweet babies and curious toddlers, and wrap designs ranging from rainbows, to hearts, to Harry Potter, to flowers, to soccer balls and so much more. How can you choose?

Many people (though certainly not all) appreciate starting with a wrap with non-repeating stripes, a change in color from one rail of the wrap to the other, or some other feature that allows one rail to be easily distinguished from the other. This can help people who are new to wrapping keep track of the how the wrap is moving around them while wrapping, and also can assist in guiding proper tightening throughout the wrap. As for a fabric, many people choose (and love) 100% cotton for their first (or only) wrap. There are other fibers and blends available, each with their benefits and drawbacks, but in general, cotton is a wonderful beginner fiber.

Here are some brands that are known for their striped wraps or different rails. If you have a favorite wrap company that fits this description and isn’t listed here, please share it!

• Girasol
• Dolcino
• Natibaby (standard line)
• Didymos (stripes)
• Hoppediz
• Little Frog
• Storchenwiege (stripes)
• Toto Wrap
• Babylonia - BBSlen
• Lenny Lamb

There are stripes in many different colors and widths, from the brightest rainbow, to the most subtle greys. You are sure to find something you like (hopefully it isn’t discontinued, or out of stock, or in transit - more on this next time). Another great option is to buy a solid color wrap, or make a DIY wrap some Osnaburg or other woven fabric, and then dye along one or both rails so you can keep track of them.

Stay tuned for the next post, all about where and how to buy!

4/22/16
Adding links for the other segments in this series. 
Part 2 - where to buy a new woven wrap
Part 3- where and how to buy a secondhand woven wrap
Part 4 - how to make a DIY woven wrap

Used under the Creative Commons license through Flickr. Photography by Marjolein van Elteren