Thea Colman is a prolific designer. She has a beautiful aesthetic and the construction methods she chooses create wearable garments.

Thea’s Pullover in BSA TECHNO

The Blue Sky Alpacas team recently met Thea in person at TNNA. It was a great time and we did a fun interview to boot.

BSA: What is your geographical story?

Thea: I’m from Princeton New Jersey, and went to school at a small liberal arts college in upstate New York. Right after college, I had the urge to be somewhere totally different and moved out to San Francisco. I lived in the Inner Mission, the Castro, and Haight Ashbury, which were hilarious and crazy and exactly opposite from the J. Crew catalog life I had known. I loved San Francisco and stayed there for ten years, but…the East Coast beckoned, and since I missed both the seasons and my family, it seems I’m staying in the Boston area for the foreseeable future.

BSA: Cake or pie? Which kind and why?

Thea: Both. Because nobody should have to choose.

White Sangria in BSA Skinny Cotton. Photo © Caro Sheridan

BSA: What is your favorite color? What color is your toothbrush? If they are not the same, why not? If they are the same, how did that come about? Was it a conscious decision?

Thea: Purple and purple. They’re the same because I left my green one at TNNA and this was the next one in the pack!

BSA: Is there one person/company with whom you have previously worked that you would love the chance to work with again?

Thea: I worked in advertising for an agency called Goodby Silverstein and Partners in San Francisco for a number of years. It was one of those funky little companies, in a brick warehouse where everyone had a great time. My clients were a cruise line, a beer company, and Got Milk. I worked on print and TV advertising, and our team won awards. Best Job Ever.

Sweet Vermouth in BSA Worsted Hand Dyes. Photo © Caro Sheridan

BSA: What do you enjoy doing during your downtime?

Thea: With my girls and husband, I love getting in the car and going to a new beach or town we haven’t been to before – as long as it includes food and something outside. We can kill a whole day and sometimes go into the night. (I get to knit in the car). Or, with my friends I love to hit the rummage sales, second hand shops, or the garage sale circuit on a Saturday AM. This always involves coffee.

BSA: What drives you? What question do you find yourself trying to answer?

Thea: What’s next? This applies to life and work and dinner and everything. I have to remember to stop and enjoy the moment!

Cherry Vanilla in BSA Skinny Cotton. Photo © Caro Sheridan

BSA: Do you have anything you would like to ask me?

Thea: What’s your story? What did you do before Blue Sky? Were you already in Minnesota? And did you make that adorable little barrette you were wearing at TNNA?

Katie: Before Blue Sky I worked at my LYS and went to school for Textile Design and Development. Both the yarn shop and move to Blue Sky Alpacas have been perfectly suited to me and my passion. I lived in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and worked in Milwaukee. The move to Minnesota has been an exciting new chapter for me and happened really quickly. Sometimes, in the car I have to remind myself, “This is Minnesota, you live here.” I didn’t make my barrette, but I did get it at Darn Knit Anyway, a shop I had to check out in my new home state.

BSA: What’s next for you?

Thea: I have no idea! I do have lots of plans, but I am not sure which one is going to happen. For the next year or so, though, it’s going to be more of the same – my girls, some designs, my knitting life with travels and some amazing friends, a separate life outside of knitting, and my family. All of which is pretty awesome, so I don’t think I want to change anything just yet.

Blue Monday Set in Spud & Chloë Sweater. Our sister brand.

Thank you Thea for an interesting and fun interview!

And now, for the giveaway information!

Planter’s Punch in BSA Skinny Cotton. Photo © Caro Sheridan

Thea has released another design in Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Cotton.

This design, Planter’s Punch, is featured on Thea’s blog right now.

Click on over for your chance to win some Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Cotton and the Planter’s Punch pattern for your very own.

Good Luck!

Just keep knitting, knitting, knitting…

Katie

Hi Blue Sky Friends!

It is my pleasure to announce the winners of our Knitting Everyday Finery Giveaway:

Lynette O. ” Love these patterns! Hope I win”

Pamela ” Beautiful! Would love to win this book…then the only problem would be which knitted beauty to knit first!”

and

Regina C. ” Great designs! Love the beret!”

All winners have been notified. Thanks to all for participating.

Knitting Everyday Finery Practical Designs for Dresssing Up in Little Ways

If you weren’t a winner, will you be picking up a copy on your way home? I know I am.

Just keep knitting, knitting, knitting…

Katie

Knitting Everyday Finery Practical Designs for Dresssing Up in Little Ways

Knitting Everyday Finery is the second book by Mel Clark and is a complete success.

Featuring 26 total patterns, there are many beautiful designs in this worthwhile book.

Photo © Mel Clark, Big Houndstooth Cowl in BSA Worsted.

Using Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted is a lush Big Houndstooth Cowl and the Strawberry Beret.

Photo © Mel Clark, Strawberry Beret in BSA Worsted

Photo © Mel Clark, Barcelona Hood and Scarf in BSA Worsted Cotton

Perhaps you are looking to use the more summer friendly, Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Cotton. You’re in luck, the Barcelona Hood & Scarf uses four hanks.

Photo © Mel Clark, Anna's Hair Band in BSA Alpaca Silk

Or there is the Anna’s Hair Band, a one hank wonder in Blue Sky Alpacas Alpaca Silk. As someone that likes to wear headbands, this is a favorite project of mine.

With other fun projects including funky bags, great hats, fun mitts, and beautiful scarves, this book is an excellent addition to any knitting library. (It even has a pair of tights!).

We have three copies to giveaway! Just leave a comment on this blog post (one per person please) and we’ll be right back with the winners!

Just keep knitting, knitting, knitting…

Katie

We have three Winners! Congratulations to Cassandra, Tammy and Susan! (All the winners have been contacted). You have all won the London Tunic pattern and enough TECHNO to make the vest in your choice of colors! Happy Weekend BSA Friends!

Cassandra’s Winning Comment: “I would knit the tunic with Smoke as the main colour and Atomic Green for the contrast colour then pair it with wide legged jeans and a white half-sleeve tee.”

Tammy’s Winning Comment: “I thought Smoke & Lounge Purple would look great together. Thanks for the chance to win!”

Susan’s Winning Comment: “Lounge Purple and Aquarius would be fab to wear with jeans, skinny top and big boots. How cool would I look?!”

Thank you to all the Blue Sky Friends that participated.

Hello Blue Sky Alpaca Friends,

“Fashions fade, style is eternal.” – Yves Saint Laurent.

This quote, by one of the most influential designers of our time is one to remember. Applicable when shopping for clothes to curtains or picking patterns and colors to knit. The London Tunic by Elinor Brown exudes style. Timeless and modern, this is a classic staple piece that every wardrobe should have. A quick knit in two simple pieces. I love TECHNO!

From the Spring 2012 Collection

Have you noticed neutrals are everywhere? These neutrals are paired with bright, neon punches of color. The TECHNO palette is just the right luxury to complete this style. This vest is perfect for playing with color and enlivening your wardrobe. Wouldn’t pairing Fame (1970) and Aquarius (1977) be perfection? And speaking of classic, Cha-Cha Red (1976) and Club Gray (1975) would be striking. Metro Silver (1971) and Posh Pink (1981) are very suited to one another. It would sure be hard to make a decision…

Blue Sky Alpacas TECHNO, available in six classic neutrals and seven pop brights.

Blue Sky would love to give that decision to three lucky Bluesletter readers. Leave a comment on this post (one per person please) telling Blue Sky which color combo you would pick and how you would wear your new sweater vest. We’ll pick three winners on Friday. You will receive enough yarn to make the London Tunic in your choice of colors as well as the pattern. We cannot wait to hear the palettes you come up with!

Just keep knitting, knitting, knitting…

Katie