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Baby Carrier Review: Bijou Wear Misfit Sugar Rush

Natty wraps. Heard of them? "Natty" refers to undyed/natural fibers. Some people believe natty wraps hold magical powers. I've always shied away from them because "THEY'LL GET DIRTY!!!! HOW DO I HIDE ALL THE TODDLER BOOGERS?! WHAT ABOUT DUST? SMUDGY FINGERS? WHAT ABOUT LIFE?!!?" 

[Image of close-up of a natty woven wrap with shimmery and nubby threads going in different directions and visible texture.]
Loom State (before the first wash)
You know what? Life with children has to be washable. And guess what, this natty is totally washable and life-friendly. 

[Image of a natty woven wrap with an abstract stripe pattern hang drying in the summer shade outside with the fading light gently coming through the threads.]
First Wash and Dry

What happens when you wash this wrap from "loom" state?? IT. BOOMS. I mean, BLOOMS. What does that even mean? When a wrap first arrives at your door, it isn't quite ready for wearing yet. A first wash will remove potential starches used on the fibers during the weaving process, will set any rogue dye, and will dissipate the tension set during the weaving process so the threads settle in and protect against potential thread shifting. The fabric will shrink post-wash but the measurements should still fall within the size purchased because it is cut with shrinkage accounted for. P.S - Avoid bleach, fabric softener, powdered detergent, or detergent with optical brighteners to best care for your woven wrap (some times plain water does just fine). Follow water temperature and drying instructions for each fabric blend as recommended by the carrier company. 

[Image is a collage of two photos featuring a natty woven wrap with an abstract geometric pattern on an old wooden sewing table, sitting nicely folded next to a purple ceramic mug with a fancy B. The top photo is of the woven wrap pre-wash state, and the text Loom. The bottom photo is of the woven wrap post-wash and post-line dry, and with the text Bloom. The purpose is to show the transformation a woven wrap goes through between loom state and post-first wash and for visual cush.]
Loom to Bloom
Ready for more textile geekery?
The blend of this wrap is called "EcoCel." EcoCel is a "smashmallow" (yes, "smashmallow") of "Eco2cotton®, a nubby recycled yarn, combined with a low percentage of TENCEL® for softness" (per Bijou Wear website). It's woven on a cotton warp and the combination of the three fibers makes it truly lovely for newborn wearing through toddlerhood wrangling. 
[Image of a woman's torso with an ecru woven wrap baby carrier spread across the chest to show off the wrap's abstract geometric pattern in cloudy lighting. The double hammock back carry is finished with a twist across the top called a candy cane chest belt. It looks and feels so luxurious but without the fussy care of what I would think something luxurious would need.]
Texture

Stats:

  • Carrier: Bijou Wear Misfit Sugar Rush
  • Material: EcoCel (blend of Eco2cotton® and TENCEL® on a cotton warp)
  • Length: size 4 (approximately 149"/3.78 m), base minus one here
  • Width: approximately 28.5"/72.5 cm
  • Density: approximately 340 grams per square meter
  • Wearees (over the summer): 
    • 4 year old (approximately 31 pounds/14 kilograms, 39 inches/99 centimeters) 
    • 1 year old (approximately 21 pounds/9.5 kilograms, 29.5 inches/75 centimeters)
Let's talk wrapping qualities of this natty. Most natties seam to go towards the soapy end. I don't mean like bubbly. I mean cooler, smooshier... soapier. A wrap that feels "dry" tends to, well not feel as cool or errrr soapy to the touch. Anyway, it's got texture. It's got ridges. These ridges give it awesome grip but the tencel gives it just a little glide so you aren't working up a sweat when wrapping. It breaks in pretty easily and though it may seem like a lot of wrap, I'd guess that a broken in Misfit Sugar Rush could be a newborn wrap though some may prefer a slightly narrower and thinner wrap for squishies (only guessing because when this wrap came by here, my youngest wrappee was a little over 1 year old). 

Summer Snuggles

At 340 grams per square meter, it's surprisingly medium-light weight in hand. But don't be fooled! It may feel light but it is super supportive and it's super supportive for big feelings. My four year old referred to it as the "marshmallow cloud wrap." Between the two children, we gave this wrap a spin in multiple base minus one front, hip, and back carries and it shined in one and two layer carries. It rocks a half knot without budging. It holds a slip knot (more accurately called a "lark's head knot") like nobody's business but is still adjustable. Elegant in a candy cane chest belt. Moldable in a spread chest pass. It came loom state to us and I imagined it would only get more smooshy and moldable as it got worn more and more.


Big Feelings Wrapped in Smashmallowy Goodness

Summary: Wrap It Up

Below is a summary of things that might make you go for Misfit Sugar Rush, or not. Keep in mind that the list is subjective and you may love the wrap even if you check off more than half the things for the "not for me" list below.

This may not be love at first wrap if you're looking for:
  • more color
  • super soapy
  • lots of glide
  • thinner density
  • narrower width
  • a wrap with a "right" and "wrong" side
This might be your cup of tea if you're looking for:
  • texture
  • a little shimmer
  • #NoWrongSide
  • smoosh and cush
  • an interesting natty
  • grip but not sweaty grippy
  • a toddler-worthy wrap
One more close-up.... Happy wearing!

Up Close and Personal

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For more pics and commentary, check out my Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/wearingpluotandkumquat/ and search #MisfitSugarRush.

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Images have descriptions provided in the alternative text accessible to screen readers.
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