Hip happy

I'm a bit obsessed with baby carriers.  I admit it, and I know I'm not alone.

I had a lovely organic cotton green stretchy wrap when Squiggles was first born .  It was the best for keeping such a tiny babe secure and snuggly.

But it was hot in the summer.  So we got a light linen ring sling from a small Canadian company.  Also great for quick in and outs from the car once you get the hang of it.

Once Squiggles was big enough, we then started to use the Ergo Baby my brother and sister in law kindly purchased for us.  It has been our main carrier ever since.  Its great, but lately, wearing Squiggles on my front has been bugging my shoulder.  I like to put him on my back, but I still find it tricky, so I started wearing him on my hip.  He likes it because he can see more, but the hip carry with the Ergo is a bit awkward and find the shoulder strap rather uncomfortable.  It is also too awkward for those quick in and outs, and the ring sling puts all of Squiggles 20 pound on my shoulder (not good!).

 So, I decided I needed a devoted hip carrier.  I tried on the Scootababy at our local awesome baby carrier store, but I just couldn't justify spending $100 bucks on yet another carrier.

Then I found this Free! tutorial for the Pea Pod hip carrier.  Thank you to Sascha of Piccoli Piselli, you rock!  It turns out I had almost all the supplies. I had black twill I had intended to make a skirt with years go, plus some other scraps from a purse I made several years ago.  All I had to buy were two side release buckles and some fusible fleece interfacing.  I spend a total of less than $10 bucks plus maybe 3-4 hours of my time.  Its always hard to judge time when a certain baby is in the mix.  But a few naps, late nights and some time with Squiggles on my back produced the following;

I think it turned out pretty well.  attaching the interfacing was annoying, and I'm not that great at making those barn door style reinforced stitches, but still.  I think it would also be better if the straps were from heaver fabric.  I have to make a knot in the long strap so it doesn't slip through the buckle, which isn't a problem (and she did warn of this in the tutorial), but I think it would be nicer if you didn't have too.

I've used it a few times and so far Squiggles likes it and so do I  It's small and easily portable, and quick to put on.  Yay!  I don't think it will be great for long walks, but then I'll make the effort to put Squiggles in the Ergo on my back.

So, anyone else a carrier addict?