I’m Ashley Lillis, a sweater designer living just outside Chicago with my husband and our three kids.

I design knitting patterns and collections for people who love making their own clothes and want those clothes to become part of their everyday life. I care about fit, construction, and timeless design. I believe a handmade sweater should be worn often, not saved for special occasions or admired only in photos.

I learned to knit in college, looking for something simple to do with my hands in the middle of a busy season of life. I started with the basics and slowly worked my way toward sweaters.

But my love of clothing began much earlier.

My grandmother owned a women’s clothing boutique, and some of my earliest memories are of racks of dresses, fabric under my fingers, and watching how women chose pieces that made them feel confident and comfortable. Long before I understood knitting or design, I was learning how clothing could shape the way someone felt.

Today, I design sweaters with real wardrobes in mind. I think about proportion, layering, and how a piece will be worn day after day. I design collections made to work together — simple shapes, refined details, and garments meant to last.

My goal is simple.

I want you to finish a sweater and reach for it often.