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I have been doing a fair amount of test knitting over the pandemic, and not only has it been fun, it’s resulted in a fair number of FOs. This is important for me, as I am a very “shiny object” type knitter with a woeful collection of UFOs. Among other test knitting avenues, I’ve discovered Yarnpond which is free for test knitters. I’m not sure if designers have to pay, but it certainly gives them access to a large pool (pond?) of test knitters.
That’s where I first saw the call to test knit Renee Strouts’ Tentoecles socks, and I could not sign up fast enough! I mean, would you look at this slip stitch artistry?
Renee Strouts hails from Kansas and currently lives in the Phoenix valley in Arizona. Her favorite great aunt taught her to knit as a child, but she really honed her skills during her time working at a yarn shop while attending college for an Engineering degree. She loves unusual techniques and is currently obsessing over different ways to use sock sets to make interesting socks. She can be found knitting, designing, and spinning on Ravelry as Maliase, and on Instagram as @rmaliase.
Here are the other socks that are included in her Main and Mini Sock Series, available on Ravelry. It’s a steal at $8.50 for five patterns. Aren’t they fabulous? What a creative way to go beyond heels and toes to showcase a lovely mini skein in socks.
And lastly, if you bought a bunch of minis at the recent MKG mini skein sale, Renee has a pattern where you can use them all! I look forward to a future MKG show and tell.
This month’s Designer Spotlight was suggested and written by MKG member Deepa Nirmal. If you are a fan of an up and coming designer and would share them with the Guild about please contact Melissa.
After growing up in the city and suburbs, the owners of Get Bentz Farm felt a need to be closer to nature and to be more connected to where their food came from. 
