Wrap Review! Didymos India Holi

Manufacturer: Didymos
Name: India Holi
Weave: Twill
Weight: 255 g/m2 (60/40 weight was the only weight listed on the database)
Blend: There are two different versions, 50% Linen 50% Cotton, and 40% Linen 60% Cotton, I had 50/50

I got my Holi in the dead of summer. Linen is perfect for the heat. The pattern is pleasing to the eye. I used the "wrong" side more often than the "right" because I liked it best. I purchased this wrap brand new and it came to me like cardboard. One hot wash/iron and it softened right up. A double hammock is my go to, and even with all those passes over me and Emmalee, it was still very breathable and wearable in the Nevada summer heat. The cush on the shoulders was perfect, without being too bulky of a wrap. Holi didn't live here long, because it was the slipperiest wrap I've ever tried. It would slip right into place when I did my passes, but it also slipped right out of place. 

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Sizing of woven wraps

Woven wraps come in a variety of sizes, the most common being 2-7. Woven wraps are always sized in meters.

2: 2.6m (8.5ft)
3: 3.1m (10.2ft)
4: 3.6m (11.8ft)
5: 4.2m (13.7ft)
6: 4.6m (15.1ft)
7: 5.2m (17.1)

Why so many different sizes?

The length of the wrap will determine what carry you can do. Multi-pass carries require a longer wrap. Single-pass carries require a shorter wrap.

So how do I know what size to get?

Before purchasing your wrap, you need to determine your base size. Your base size is the size you can do every carry with, including carries with many passes, such as a front wrap cross carry (FWCC) or a double hammock (DH). The "average" person has a base size of a 6. If you consider yourself petite, your base is probably a 5. If you consider yourself to be plus size, then your base is probably a 7.

What about a "shorty"?

A shorty a term used for a short wrap. Short wraps are great for quick carries, such as a ruck, when you don't want long tails. The typical shorty is a size 2 or 3. My base is a 6 and I like using a size 3 as my shorty, because it gives me a little bit more versatility with my carries. Depending on your size (plus/petite) your shorty might be a 2 or a 4.

What about all the other sizes?

There are a few of  you might see that you need "one size up from your base", but for the most part when you are moving one size up or down from your base, the main difference is the way you tie off. For example, a DH carry in a size smaller than your base, you can tie at the shoulder instead of in front.

Here is a list of a few carries the averaged sized person can do with each size wrap. Each carry is linked to a YouTube tutorial. Many of these carries can be done in multiple sizes. If you see a carry listed under a size 3, that means it can also be done in a size 4, or 5, and so on.  Keep in mind, this changes whether you are petite or plus sized. There are many more carries than the ones I've listed. For a more comprehensive list, click here.

2

Rebozo,No Sew Ring Sling, Ruck Tied Under Bum

3

Rebozo, No Sew Ring Sling, Ruck Tied in Front, Robin's Hip Carry, Half Jordan's Back Carry 

4

Short Cross Carry, Kangaroo, Poppin's Hip Carry, Double Hammock (tied at the shoulder)

5

Petite base size carries

6

Average base size carries

Front Wrap Cross Carry, Back Wrap Cross Carry, Secure High Back Carry, Double Hammock, Front Cross Carry, Coolest Hip Cross Carry

7

Plus size base carries

Breaking in a woven wrap

Purchasing a woven wrap new is great. You don't have to worry about any undisclosed stains or rips, pets, smoke, or scents. All new wraps require some form of breaking in.

A broken in woven should:
Feel soft
Be floppy and moldable
Glide smoothly over itself without sticking
Knot easily

Breaking in a wrap essentially means breaking down the fibers, so anything that gets some friction going is going to help. So how do you break it in?

(Wrap pictured is Didymos Anthracite Hemp Indio, 5)

Twist it.
Loop the wrap over the edge of a railing. I use the crib (gotta use that thing for something!). Pull the tails so they are even, your middle marker should be on the railing.

Grab the tails and start to twist

Keep twisting until your wrap ends up in a little knot

Un twist and repeat! It's a great forearm workout!

Braid it.
Braiding a wrap is the same thing as a daisy chain. Tie one tail in a circle.

Stick your hand through the circle and grab the wrap

Pull the wrap through and repeat with your new loop.

Make a hammock.
Hammocks are fun! You can use a table like this mama does, but I use the crib. E was not into the hammock today, so here's what it looks like sans baby

Use it. 

Sorry, no action shots yet!

Of course, using your wrap is one of the best ways to break it in. If it's too stiff for a good wrap job, try one of the above tricks to soften it up first!

A few other ideas:
Steam iron (check the tag for heat settings)
Sit on it
Sleep with it (blanket)
Leave it under the couch cushions for a week
Tug o war
Run it through sling rings

Remember, breaking in a wrap is breaking down the fibers. Don't be afraid to rough it up a bit, it's made to last! (avoid sharp objects, of course)

Happy Babywearing!