Ethos Phoebe Natural Handwoven Review

Ethos Phoebe Natural Handwoven
cotton/banana silk / 350 GSM
11 months and 22 pounds

This Ethos Phoebe is a weighty and organic feeling natty. Wraps of course are often described as blankety and this wrap is actually blankety. The texture and nubs make Phoebe an interesting looking natty, even with a straight twill weave, while the banana silk adds a slight sparkle and sheen. There are many variations in the weave which speak to the handcrafted nature of the wrap and add to the organic look.

 

In hand there wasn't much stretch, just a bit diagonally. Folding and unfolding is a workout as this is a heavier wrap. The handspun yarn gives Ethos Phoebe a beautiful slub texture, but I anticipated a grippiness that will suit slightly more experienced wrappers.

I don't own a natty and tend to prefer patterned wraps, yet the simple handcrafted aesthetic of this wrap appeals to me. Testing this in the Fall was perfect, as the wonderful nubby texture fits right in with cozy sweaters and toques.

 

Perhaps its watching Frozen one too many times with my toddler, but wearing this wrap is best described as a warm hug! As I had anticipated some work is required to get passes into place due to the grippy texture, but once you do what a soft, snuggly, and supportive carry you'll experience. Using this wrap more, in FWCC and DH, I couldn't think of a wrap I've used to compare it to, it's unique. Airy and Cushy. Soft and mouldable. Yet this is also a heavy wrap, and most heavy wraps I have tried don't have such airiness, nor mould and pleat like Ethos Phoebe does. The longest I wore my baby at a stretch in Ethos Phoebe was 2 hours and no adjustments were needed, but what a knot!

 

Ethos Phoebe was an absolute pleasure to test. I love that banana silk, while soft and strong, is also eco-friendly and vegan! Banana silk isn't silk at all, but is a fiber made from trunks of banana plants and has a similar appearance to silk. Ethos sources their banana silk from Nepal where the wraps are also woven on traditional looms. These handwoven wraps are a great cost-effective option at $70usd/meter, as well as being fair-trade and sustainable. I would not recommend this wrap to a brand new wrapper. Even though it is breathable, it is heavy and could be cumbersome without a little experience. The lovely texture also gives this wrap a grippiness that a slightly experienced wrapper will be able to handle. Phoebe will be a wonderful cushy and supportive wrap from a shorty to your base size, particularly with babies 20 pounds and up and well into toddlerhood.

 

 

Thank you Ethos Babywearing for the opportunity to test Phoebe Natural!

For more information on Ethos Babywearing, and their handwovens please visit here where Phoebe Natural is also in stock.