When Tayler Harris’ youngest son was a baby and she couldn’t find time to sew, she wondered if knitting might fill the void.

Using The National Needlearts Association’s slim, red classic, “How to Knit,” she taught herself the basic stitches. Almost instantly she realized the potential. Not only did the craft’s portability allow her to spend time with her boys, but she could also indulge her lifelong love of fashion.

She started with small pieces like hats and cowls then quickly began knitting garments. After only seven years of knitting, she self-published her first pattern on Ravelry in 2018 – an oversized dolman turtleneck called Cottonwood – telling herself that if one person bought it, that’s enough. But the sweater did better than that. The exaggerated ribbing on the sleeves and dramatic batwing silhouette gave this classic sweater a distinctive look that attracted buyers.

Encouraged by sweater’s performance she kept at it. Her beautiful photographs, often set against the sere desert landscape near her home outside of Salt Lake, showcased the quiet details of her streamlined knits. How an I-cord edging frames the shoulder of a V-neck shell. Or how a deep-brimed beanie resolves its ribbing in a crown that looks like the confluence of many creeks. 

It’s hardly surprising that her unpretentious minimalism attracted yarn companies interested in her work. Shibui Knits, Madelinetosh, June Cashmere, Purl Soho and Woolfolk have showcased their yarns using her designs and there are more in the works.

“I love stitch patterns and to create cables and bring a modern twist to garment silhouettes,” she said. “I’m always looking at how to translate trends into sweaters and bring the modern element.”

What is your knitting origin story?

I taught myself using books. It was 2011, before there were a lot of YouTube videos. I started with hats and cowls then graduated to sweaters.

How did you start designing?

I’ve really always loved fashion. Growing up I sewed all these doll clothes and Barbie clothes and would express myself through fashion. As I started knitting garments, I had all these ideas for sweaters and cardigans. I had been knitting them and knew basic construction and decided to try designing my own. 

I began with pieced sweaters, not seamless. I still love that construction, because it gives so much structure and lasts longer. I just love the practice of seaming and find it so soothing. 

I’ve been doing top-down, too, and love that you can try on as you go and customize it. I’m glad I’ve been brave about branching out and offering different construction and styles. 

It’s been a lot of trial and error, teaching myself the math and grading part of it. I kind of just went for it and jumped with both feet.

So what is your relationship with hats like?

I love wearing hats, which has a lot to do with having snow here half the year in the colder months. They’re so warm and cozy and are a really fun accessory. I love accessorizing with hats.

What makes a great hat?

I love a good folded brim, a good deep brim in ribbing. I love knitting ribbing and coming up with different knit-purl combinations. 

How did the Autumnophile Beanie come to be?

For the Hat Club, Libby contacted me and wanted me to create a beanie with this new yarn, Biggie. I’m so grateful that she would let me design with this new yarn. I started playing with it to get to know it and made a stockinette swatch. Then I played with some different ribbings to get a sense of its structure. I just wanted to create something that was simple and interesting to knit and allow the color to come through. So I landed on a 1x1 brim and textured knit-purl pattern. I wanted it to be fun to knit.

What do you love about it?

I love that it’s very quick to knit. You can make it in a few days.

How do you respond to the phrase, “Knitting is the answer”?

For me it’s my meditation. If I’m stressed or anxious about something and take a moment to sit in the quiet and knit, things come into focus and don’t seem as big or unsolvable. It gives me a sense of calm, especially with teenage boys!

When I teach, I try to tell beginners, it will become that meditative practice for you. I promise.