Tired. Those cuts look fine given the tile size/shape and the space—the only way to have fewer is to use a different tile. (And even then it would still depend on how the tiles filled the space—you might end up with even funkier cuts.) You may want to lay out the shower tile dry to make sure you like how it fits before getting to this stage, though. Penny tile can be tricky to do well, especially around drains. If you don’t like it at the dry fit stage you can consider other options.

Great advice. I’ll try that. Thx!

The pattern had to align with where the floor changes from the main room to the slope in the shower. There is no way to eliminate all small tiles when there are fixed obstructions like that. Those small pieces won’t be what you focus on when it’s complete

Great. Thx.

The only way to minimize tile cuts especially with large or unusual tile is to design the space to fit the tile with minimal cuts. And that takes an incredible amount of work and planning because it starts with the design and framing of the bathroom. I did this a couple times and I would probably not do it again. And I don't think the guy who did my bathrooms would agree to it again.

It's fine, the "pattern" travels and you cannot necessarily control where all the cuts go. But, you mention using a penny round for shower floor; consider switching it to a smaller hex instead of throwing another pattern in the mix.

Skippack, Good tip. But I tried hard to find a small black hex but despite many saying they were appropriate for flooring use, all seemed quite slick and this is for my 80-year-old dad’s shower. These penny tiles have a more honed finish and seem more grippy and, therefore, safer. But hex had definitely been my first choice. :)

Michelle, I'm pretty sure you can get your hands on black hex mosaic tile which will be non-slip and appropriate for a shower floor. If you still got some time, maybe search a bit more? Here's one example - looks very non-slip to me:

https://www.houzz.com/products/gotham-2-hex-black-porcelain-floor-and-wall-tile-prvw-vr~173698154?lid=119730539

Hmm....I do still have the weekend. OK. I'll call some additional local places and keep looking. Thx.