Jan 23: At last! He is complete, legs and all. Had to do a little “amputation” for a leg I had sewn on too far apart from the others, in blatant disregard of the instructions to “Sew as shown in picture”.

I found the shell an entertaining challenge, making me carefully count short rows, place bobbles, and sew together the ribbed edge, but the legs were torture! I didn’t think I minded repetition too much, but apparently I do, when it’s making 6 identical little tapering tubes out of yarn.

Also ran out of the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran inconveniently, before I was able to complete all six rear legs - so beware, you’ll need more than 50 yards of aran weight yarn to make a matched set. Used the Karabella camel to do the tips past the first taper (all of 12sts around & 9 sts around) for the front two back claws, and then used it for the front claws exclusively.

Very entertained by the fact that this little crustacean is made from four different animals: sheep wool for the top shell & rear legs, camel hair for the front claws and ties around the joints, and I held together two strands to get the right colour and weight for the belly - one of Elizabeth Lavold’s Silky Wool (silk moths), and another of handspun undyed alpaca!

Jan 12: Have finished the upper shell, bought beady wee eyes and sewn them on, now starting on the creamy underbelly. Note to self, I hate picking up stitches! However, was easy to do given clear line between 3x3 rib on edge and stockinette top of shell.

Audiobook: finished listening to Elizabeth Ferrars “Danger from the Dead” while sewing in. David Graham, who does the reading, does a decent job voicing the men (Giles, Nigel) and sister Barbara, but makes Helena sound AWFUL. :(