Designer Spotlight: Taiga

Hello Loopy Friends! Today I am happy to feature Taiga Hilliard in our Designer Spotlight. Taiga has designed things from kids clothes to adults sweaters, and everything in between. I know you’ll enjoy getting to know her (and buying one of her patterns at a special price!).

Loopy: Hi Taiga! Thanks for being in our spotlight today. Who taught you to knit?

Taiga: Hi Loopy! Never really had any interest in knitting even though I grew up with many friends and family who were knitters, but about 10 years ago my sister started to show me how to knit and after her one lesson, I caught the bug and learned the art by watching YouTube videos until I too could knit.

Loopy: What did we do before being able to look up anything on YouTube? So helpful. What is your favorite thing to knit?

Taiga: Baby clothing, as they are inherently cute and after being worn for a while can then be saved and passed on to another baby. Knit baby items just always feel extra special somehow.

Loopy: I agree. So sweet when someone has taken the time to knit something for a new baby. Plus, the knitting goes quickly! What is the most challenging thing that you have knit to date?

Taiga: I have a really hard time with lace weight yarn and high yardage patterns because I get bored. More of a goal knitter, not a process knitter.

Loopy: That makes sense. When did you start designing, and what spurred that interest?

Taiga: I started about 9 years ago after finding pretty patterns, but always wanting to change something about them; sometimes the construction, sometimes the fit.

Loopy: It’s always fun to make patterns a little bit your own. Do you have a favorite pattern you’ve designed?

Taiga: I love my baby dresses, my favorites are Muti (named after my grandmother), Mischa (named after my sister) and Lizzy (named after my niece).

Loopy: How nice to honor those special people in your life that way! What is your favorite part of your designing? And your not-so-favorite part?

Taiga: Playing with yarn, seeing what can be created with it. Tech editing patterns is my least favorite part.

Loopy: That seems to be a common dislike among designers! Do you have other jobs outside of pattern designing? And do you do this part time or full time?

Taiga: No, I design full time, knitting, customer service, design photos, social media … go, go, go. It can be difficult at times because being self-employed means the buck always stops with you, but I am in control so that aspect of the endeavor makes up for any angst.

Loopy: Does anyone else in your family knit?

Taiga: The women in my family have always been very crafty with fiber; my mom and sister both knit, my grandmother knit and spun, and I have aunts and uncles who are knitters.

Loopy: What a wonderful family legacy in fiber. Are there other hobbies that you enjoy?

Taiga: I enjoy listening to audiobooks, but my first love has always been photography.

Loopy: Which comes in handy for pattern photos, I’d imagine. What would be your favorite way to spend a day off:

Taiga: Sitting by the beach, knitting, listening to the waves crash onto the shore…

Loopy: I’m picturing that just perfectly. Last one: morning or night person? Coffee or tea? English or Continental? Solids or multicolors?

Taiga: I get a lot more done in the morning, but I am a night owl.
I enjoy loose leaf herbal tea.
My knitting style is English.
Solids and semi-solids are my favorite.

Loopy: Anything else you’d like to add?

Taiga: Knitting calms my mind, finishing a project warms my heart, it is the life I have chosen and the path for me tread with a bit of love, anxiety, sorrow, joy in each stitch and whatever the day brings.

Loopy: And that is a great note to end on. 🙂

Taiga has set up a code for her Ravelry store so that you are able to purchase one pattern at a 20% discount. The code is: TheLoopyEweSL and is valid August 14-21, 2020. Pop over to get a new pattern for yourself, and then come back over to Loopy to pick up some new yarn for it!

Have a safe and peaceful weekend –

Sheri