SETI Starmap

I've had SETI to play with for a few weeks now, and I am still just blown away. Every time I pick it up, I'm impressed. This is a middle weight wrap, on the heavier side - but it's not nearly as dense! It is absolutely toddler heaven - has excellent support, and is kind on the shoulders. The weft side is quite rough at first, it almost felt prickly or scratchy. Given a bit of love, however, it has broken in to be very soft. The Viscose is still not *quite* as fluffy as the Dryads, but it's close!

The Cotton is so shiny

This wraps like a mix between Dryad Frost Birches, and Barny. Maybe a bit like 925. The silver side is gorgeously textured, and I feel that in any other pattern I would find it too grippy. The cascade cotton is so glidey in the starmap pattern, and it makes for a delightful combination of grip and glide. I'd personally prefer this as a shorty, because I live in a warmer area, but this would be fantastic in any size! I found that this wraps a bit short, but not too much so. I would buy a size up still - since I want something like a 3, I'd buy a 4.

This holds solid in a single knot, in a long size.

This has an almost fluid drape to it - I'd guess the viscose does it. I've been folding this in half and draping it over my shoulders as a shawl in the evening, it feels almost like a weighted blanket. 

The texture on the SETI side is similar to Barnacle Aqua

I will say - this would not be my first choice for VERY small babies... it's a bit thicker, so I think babies younger than about 2 months could get lost.

Leo felt weightless for almost 2 hours in a FWCC

Definitely suggest this gorgeous wrap! The Cascade warp is so lovely. There's bits of blue, green, and purple that make it look very different in different light. It's similar to cyano, in some ways. The SETI weft is so delightful - soft, but textured. There's different colored threads with the fiber, and it's fascinating to look at.

I had to include a few extra pictures, because I love them so much. Such a sweet memory with my boys!

 

Asphodel

When I started wrapping, 2 years ago, I swore there were two things that I just wouldn't do - Natty wraps, and wool. Well, jokes on me. Now I swear by both.

When I tried Elysian, I was won over - but it didn't count! See, I told myself that since it had some contrast, it wasn't really a natty wrap... it was just light-colored. Of course.

Asphodel on left, Elysian on right.

With Asphodel, I really don't even have that to fall back on. It's still got the faintest bit of contrast, but not nearly so much the sand color as Elysian. It is similar in many ways, but I much preferred it as an "all-around" wrap.

Beautiful "wrong side"

The higher linen content was the first thing I noticed. It wasn't as smooshy soft as Elysian was right out of the bag. After the first wash, it was quite wrinkled. I ironed it out, and was a bit sad to find that with wear, Asphodel did wrinkle again.

Even with 45 lbs of toddler, I didn't worry about the knot slipping!

However, after a week of heavy use, the wrinkles seemed to lessen. I washed it again, and it wasn't wrinkled at all! I tossed it right in the tumble dryer, and it came out completely soft and mouldable. The wrinkling seemed perfectly normal, and it seemed to stop after a few washes and plenty of use.

Did very well on our long adventure!

Broken in, Asphodel retains quite a bit more texture than Elysian. It's not scratchy, but the linen gives it a bit of grip that feels essential with a bigger kid. It's very supportive - I walked close to a mile with 35 pounds of toddler on my back, and 12 pounds of infant on my front, and Asphodel made it as comfortable as it could be in 95 degree heat! Gorgeously mouldable and breathable, I think it matched Elysian as "second skin" quality.

The difference in texture that shows the pattern.

I'm pleased to report that with this wrap, I got to try it with both squish and preschooler - and it did beautifully with both! I've sent it on to it's next home, and I'm still plotting a way to snag one back again. This and the TS release are both going to be stunning in person, and I think they'll make for fantastic shorties. I think Asphodel will beat Elysian as a shorty, but match it in base size. Asphodel is just a little bit better with big kids, and has just a little more weight and texture. As far as personal preference, I prefer Asphodel!

Solstice Starmap and Kaleidoscope

Solstice Obsidian Starmap and Kaleidoscope 

I went into labor with my second baby 2.5 weeks early, on summer solstice. I was so excited through the whole ordeal, because I still haven't managed to sort out my toddlers' so-called "legacy wrap". Could it really be this easy for my second? Or would I labor for 26 hours again, and miss the release by a day??

Clearly, I was worried about the right things.

Thankfully, I only had 12 hours of work, then my little one arrived 12 minutes after the release. As such, I was already going to be a bit biased about these wraps. I'm going to try to review them honestly, even address the few negative aspects that I've noticed. Very few. Let me get that out of the way first.

Isn't he cute??? <3 <3 <3 

The amazing Sara Elizabeth Thomas Hall was kind enough to grab a Kaleidoscope(3) upon release, and I ordered a size 7 Starmap. Tragically, I missed the scarfs... And I will be shamelessly DISO until I find one. Cue the shameless begging.

PLEASE??? PUH-LEASE???

I got the Kaleidoscope first, and it was a bit of a surprise. I had used an elements Kaleidoscope before, and thought this would be great as a shorty. I got to use it for about a week before my Starmap landed, and I was a bit disappointed to find that it was actually a little uncomfortable in a traditional sling carry. I tried it  several times with both kids, and even with the newborn it felt like it wouldn't quite stay for extended wearing. I felt like I was tightening the slip knot a lot more than I am used to. I came to the conclusion that in the Alchemy weave, this pattern has just a little too much stretch for my(quite picky) shorty preferences. Also maybe a bit slippier than I was expecting.

I love the way the obsidian integrates with the solstice colors. 

 As long as it has a double knot finish, it was fantastic though - Ruck TUB, FWCC TUB, etc. It never felt like it was sagging, and it had a wonderful cushiness on the shoulders! After a few weeks with it, I've decided to send it in to be converted to a ring sling.

Peek-a-boo! Seriously, this was so excellent on my shoulders. Has excellent stretch and cush.

I was a little concerned that if Kaleidoscope was slippery, I'd find the Starmap to be worse. Interestingly, I didn't find that to be the case at all! I've wrapped my newborn in it for a few 2/3 hour naps, and never felt any discomfort... but that doesn't mean that much with a newborn. The real test was when I had my clingy 2 year old up in what I thought would be a short ruck for almost 30 minutes while I did some cleaning. Doesn't seem like that long, but in a 100% cotton Starmap, I thought it would be at least a little uncomfortable.

It really wasn't! It felt thin, supportive, and just fine on my shoulders. I haven't had the chance to try it in a slip knot yet, but I get the feeling it would do pretty okay. It's not grippy, but the obsidian cotton is fluffy and a little smooshy. I'd prefer both in a longer size though, especially with my bigger kid.

Please someone sell me a scarf. Please?

So. How'd I do? That's seriously the worst I can say about it. Now I can address my favorite part.

HOLY CROW these are gorgeous. Seriously, I've never seen cotton shine like this before - Linen, yes. Cotton? Never. This weft is probably my all-time favorite, it's the perfect sunrise/sunset colors. The patterns? I adore them both! I really want both patterns as a scarf to keep forever, because they're so so perfect. Gah! I've spent far too long just sitting and snuggling with both of these, they're so soft and just amazing! They were so soft out of the bag, and they're total heaven now.

Both of these are super pretty. Ugh.

I think I prefer the Kaleidoscope pattern, in the appearance department. The way the colors integrate is just fantastic. Stunning on both sides, I keep going back and forth on which side to use for the outside of the ring sling! The Starmap is amazing too. Dang.

Okay. All done.

Enjoy a bit more spam! <3

Old, new, borrowed, and blue - Reviews of Acorn Burnish Gossamer and Grape Twilight Fractals

I'm writing a review of two wraps today - both quite different in almost every way, but both absolutely fantastic. First off, I'll write about Acorn Burnish Gossamer which is a newer release that I'm lucky enough to be borrowing for a week. Second I'll be writing about Grape Twilight Fractals, which is an absolute classic that has had a lot of love over the years.

Pleats beautifully!

Acorn Burnish Gossamer is 100% cotton, released on May 10 2017 - 275 GSM, and is an absolute workhorse! Partly due to the supportive weave, and partly the heavier weight, I find it very comfortable with big kiddos. It's got lovely texture, and would be delightful in a shorty or base size... And it goes without saying that this would be absolutely amazing for little ones! Fispi cotton is basically designed for squishy little ones!
 

Such a beautiful and subtle grad

Burnish is one of my very favorite warps so far... It's so kitten soft right out of the bag, and the color is so beautiful and earthy. It's a fun gray/brown, and it feels like the most loved shirt, worn and snuggly. I'm still honeymooning with Elven, and it's been some time since it released.

Big kiddos needed bribes to go up today... but once they're up they're happy!

Acorn is a very subtle grad, and it reminds me most of dappled light on a forest floor. It's perfect in combination with burnish, makes the burnish look very brown compared to Sapphire or Elven. I live in a forested area, and it makes me feel at home... And I'd never worry much about it getting dirty!

The grad colors are really amazing in Acorn, so subtle but it looks like it's glowing

One downside is that I also live in a very warm and humid climate, and I think in a long size this may be a bit too snuggly and blankety for us. For those in cooler areas, it'd be fantastic no matter the time of year... but heading into summer with temps up to 95f, this might be a bit warm.

Glides into place, and the texture helps keep it there 

Grape Fractals is 50% lambswool, released Nov 14th, 2013 - I'm not certain about the GSM, but it feels thin in hand while having an amazing amount of bounce and cushiness!

Wrapee is 5 years old, and mom reported that he felt "weightless."

We bought this well loved wrap, and it's obviously cuddled many babies. It has absolutely no prickle, is so well broken in and smushy, and is AMAZING with big kiddos. It's quite narrow in width, but I've never had trouble getting a seat in it, and even with longer ups, I've never had the slightest bit of dig. Very solid, largely due to the weave, and it holds a slip knot beautifully.

No issue making a good seat

We had reports of this wrap being "so cozy," and he didn't want to get down after pictures!

The colors are beautiful and classic - the twilight cotton looks quite purple next to the purple wool. The design is fun, though not a personal favorite. It wraps a lot like Gossamer, with amazing grip and support.

While he did require a bribe to get him up there, he was the one insisting he stay up!

I have to mention again how amazingly well wool has been doing in the heat. I know this isn't new information for many people, but I am constantly surprised by this reality! Grape has been a go to for us, even with temperatures up to 95f, and it handles the heat better than 100% cotton in my opinion.

So proud of his lollypop!

Grape Fractals was a total impulse purchase, but I think it'll be with us for a good long while! I've really been enjoying our holiday with Acorn, and one day I'll probably have it as a shorty or ringsling. 

Double Weft Prototype Weave

I was so excited when I first saw hints at this wrap on Instagram; mostly because Charters Moss is one of my all-time favorite patterns, and this is one of my favorite color combinations. I didn't really know what to expect from the double-weft weave, but I knew that I wanted to try it!

                 

Such Gorgeous color and shimmer.

     

So, naturally, I emailed the Fispi ladies to shamelessly beg a chance at the tester. They were sweet enough to send it out soon after, and now there are two out on tour - one in the US, and one in the UK.

Bright white on one side, gorgeous blue on the other.

On first play, this reminded me a lot of the Elements weave. It has the same tight feel to it, so you know you can really abuse these wraps as needed. It doesn't have quite the same smooshy, kitten-belly soft feel of the Alchemy weave, but it's really nice in different ways.

More weave details. The white really stands out from the blue.

Despite looking similar to the Elements weave, this had a wholly unique feel while wrapping. The double weft seemed to allow it to shift and stretch in ways I hadn't seen before, making for a very comfortable wrap job with both big and little kids. This had a really nice balance of glide and grip, I'd be confident with this weave in any length. It's remarkably thin in hand, and very good in the heat - but I didn't have any issues with digging or sagging at all. I think the tight weave makes this a perfect combination of sturdy functionality, while maintaining an almost silky, slinky softness that made wrapping a pleasure.

Big kid approved!

This wrap has a white warp(running the length of the wrap) and two separate weft threads(running the width) - one white and one blue. This made for an extremely bright contrast between the blue and white, and there was so much more detail in the pattern than you could achieve with Alchemy weave. When I was discussing this feature with a local friend, they made the comparison between an old LCD monitor, and a High-Definition TV. The color is absolutely stunning and the pattern beautiful. I'm so excited to see what other designs will look like in this weave!

Details in the pattern are more defined in this weave.

I will say - this is not the same weave as Ali Dover uses in her Hygge line - Though they have similar traits. They both seem to shift into a comfortable wrap job no matter how rushed you may be, and they both have the bright contrast in color.

Details - showing how it drapes, and pleats effortlessly.

I poked at this wrap with a needle for a little while to figure out how everything works together, and I'll say that even with the tighter weave this is an easy wrap to fix. If you should ever manage to pull or break some threads, the weave feels intuitive and like it should fix easier than many brands.

Makes for such an easy, pleasant wrap job.

All said, this is a magnificent wrap and weave. Stretchy, forgiving, and perfect for bigs and littles. Feels high quality, but easy care and sturdy. It's not as soft to me as some of the Alchemy weave wraps, but still has nicer drape and feel than the elements weave. I'll absolutely want a few of these in my stash for beach and park days, when I want something gorgeous but not fragile.

**And now, some spam**