Wrap Sizes
Terms in bold are defined in the Glossary.
How are woven wraps sized?
The awesome thing about woven wraps is that just about ANYONE can wear just about ANY size wrap - they aren't customized to your shape like k'tans or pocket slings. The only factors in selecting a size are what kind of carries you want to do with it and the wrap qualities of the fabric (for example, some people like to have a shorter length of fabric to work with when the wrap is super thick grippy, so they'd want to look for shorties, or at least two sizes smaller than their base size). Generally, though, a wrap collection is not complete without a base size wrap.
What is a base size wrap?
A base size is generally the size in which you can tie a front wrap cross carry - it's for multiple-pass carries. For a base size you want the wrap to be long enough so that you can tie the "full size carries," or carries with several passes of fabric over the baby. Typically, a person who wears a small shirt size could be a base size 5, a medium shirt size is typically base size 6 and large sizes are usually base size 7, but sometimes your base is longer or shorter than you might expect. That's why it's important to try wraps to get a feel for what size you need, since there's no precise formula to follow.
As stated previously, just about anyone can use just about any size wrap, but the carries they can do will vary depending on their personal size and the length of their wrap. Check out this handy graphic created by Babywearing International volunteers Nichole Bartos Hoven and Katie Abell:
How are woven wraps sized?
The awesome thing about woven wraps is that just about ANYONE can wear just about ANY size wrap - they aren't customized to your shape like k'tans or pocket slings. The only factors in selecting a size are what kind of carries you want to do with it and the wrap qualities of the fabric (for example, some people like to have a shorter length of fabric to work with when the wrap is super thick grippy, so they'd want to look for shorties, or at least two sizes smaller than their base size). Generally, though, a wrap collection is not complete without a base size wrap.
What is a base size wrap?
A base size is generally the size in which you can tie a front wrap cross carry - it's for multiple-pass carries. For a base size you want the wrap to be long enough so that you can tie the "full size carries," or carries with several passes of fabric over the baby. Typically, a person who wears a small shirt size could be a base size 5, a medium shirt size is typically base size 6 and large sizes are usually base size 7, but sometimes your base is longer or shorter than you might expect. That's why it's important to try wraps to get a feel for what size you need, since there's no precise formula to follow.
As stated previously, just about anyone can use just about any size wrap, but the carries they can do will vary depending on their personal size and the length of their wrap. Check out this handy graphic created by Babywearing International volunteers Nichole Bartos Hoven and Katie Abell:
What does "base minus two" mean?
"Base minus two" size means the wearer should use a wrap that is two sizes smaller than their base size. The same applies to "base minus one" or three or any number. For example, a person who is typically a base size 6 would need a size 4 for any carries that call for a base-2.
Base Size = 8 | Base minus 1 = 7 | Base minus 2 = 6 | Base minus 3 = 5
Base Size = 7 | Base minus 1 = 6 | Base minus 2 = 5 | Base minus 3 = 4
Base Size = 6 | Base minus 1 = 5 | Base minus 2 = 4 | Base minus 3 = 3
Base Size = 5 | Base minus 1 = 4 | Base minus 2 = 3 | Base minus 3 = 2
These shorter sizes are also referred to as "shorties." Once you've acquired a base size wrap, think about getting a shortie next: this size does carries with fewer passes like a ruck back carry, kangaroo front carry, or traditional sling carry. It's nice to be able to do these carries without super long tails (the ends of the wrap) getting in your way.
How long are woven wraps?
These are the main sizes of woven wraps. Sometimes you'll hear of "mid" sizes like "a long four" or "a short six" - these are typically 6-12 inches longer or shorter than normal. Normal varies by a few inches, too. But generally, these are the measurements of woven wraps.
For ideas on how to use each size, I love these charts from wearingwiki.com. They are great for finding carries to do with each size. An extensive list of tutorials with carries listed by size is also available on the Tutorials page of this site.
"Base minus two" size means the wearer should use a wrap that is two sizes smaller than their base size. The same applies to "base minus one" or three or any number. For example, a person who is typically a base size 6 would need a size 4 for any carries that call for a base-2.
Base Size = 8 | Base minus 1 = 7 | Base minus 2 = 6 | Base minus 3 = 5
Base Size = 7 | Base minus 1 = 6 | Base minus 2 = 5 | Base minus 3 = 4
Base Size = 6 | Base minus 1 = 5 | Base minus 2 = 4 | Base minus 3 = 3
Base Size = 5 | Base minus 1 = 4 | Base minus 2 = 3 | Base minus 3 = 2
These shorter sizes are also referred to as "shorties." Once you've acquired a base size wrap, think about getting a shortie next: this size does carries with fewer passes like a ruck back carry, kangaroo front carry, or traditional sling carry. It's nice to be able to do these carries without super long tails (the ends of the wrap) getting in your way.
How long are woven wraps?
These are the main sizes of woven wraps. Sometimes you'll hear of "mid" sizes like "a long four" or "a short six" - these are typically 6-12 inches longer or shorter than normal. Normal varies by a few inches, too. But generally, these are the measurements of woven wraps.
- size 2 – 2.7 meters
- size 3 – 3.2 meters
- size 4 – 3.7 meters
- size 5 – 4.2 meters
- size 6 – 4.7 meters
- size 7 – 5.2 meters
- size 8 – 5.7 meters
- size 9 – 6.2 meters
For ideas on how to use each size, I love these charts from wearingwiki.com. They are great for finding carries to do with each size. An extensive list of tutorials with carries listed by size is also available on the Tutorials page of this site.
Need something that isn't listed? Let me know and I'll send it to you and probably add it here too! Contact me at amywrapsbabies@gmail.com.
