That is beautiful and I'd love to try it, but I'm pretty sure I couldn't sit still long enough to finish it. If something takes more than two evenings to make, it'll join the other unfinished things on my desk.

If you turn the item (like you would for short rows) wouldn't the tension even out? I knit with a crochet hook nearby. As long as you're not knitting a texture, going back and fixing a dropped stitch isn't a big deal.