I love my “knitting work” – commissioned (or
non-commissioned) Pelagia Fiber Arts pieces or teaching our knitting
classes.  But is means there is a certain
amount of “have to do” in my knitting life these days (kind of like it is
always December with Christmas looming). 
Sometimes I have to give myself permission to experience the
recreational side of knitting. 

And it was pretty easy to do so when I found Hansi Singh’s
designs – especially the delightful sea creatures.  Sarah and I, charmed and intrigued, ordered
several Hansigurumi patterns, as well as her book Amigurumi Knits, immediately! My daughter, Sonja, asked me if these
were stuffed animals and I said they are knitter sculptures. 

Two patterns were free downloads: the Paper Nautilus Shell
(which are egg cases for a type of octopus) and the Juvenile Sea Nettle.  I tackled the Paper Nautilus.

Hansi Singh must be some kind of 3-D knitting genius!   The piece was challenging in that it
involved short rows, picking-up-and-knitting, shifting from working flat to
working in rounds, and grafting – a lot of workshop for a sweet little spiral
that curls in the palm of my hand! 
Interestingly, my “fun and playful” piece was a lot more difficult than
my current “serious” work – and still it fully satisfied my re-create-tional
needs.