January wrapup, February plans

 It's been a month since I made plans, and in the grand tradition of Me, I haven't done what I planned. Well, not completely. I did mock up and fit the Arayti cape:

I have to make an alteration to the front piece because there's a bit too much fabric there, and I haven't made that happen yet but it will be pretty easy. I want to get this project finished in the first half of February. I think I should devote a few afternoons to this and it'll get done.

For the De-Lovely skirt, I have finished the low hip shaping (hooray!!!!) and it's about 10" long. However ... I had start-itis.

Susan Crawford had a sale on her digital patterns, so I sprung for A Stitch In Time 2 and immediately cast on The Jan Sweater with the Excelana I bought from Susan herself last spring. Unfortunately, I made the wrong decision by buying only 6 skeins when that is definitely not enough for my size. But I have most of a skein of KP Palette in Conch, so I'm using that as a contrast color in the ribbing. 

Right now, both sleeves are done, and I just started the eyelet pattern on the body. I want this to be done in time to wear to Florida at the beginning of March, so it's time for DEADLINE PLANNING.

We fly out on March 1st, so this needs to be completely finished on February 28th. I'm working that afternoon, but I can finish seaming it up and packing that evening.

In order to be ready for seaming, it needs to be drying on Monday the 27th, which means the body has to be blocked on Sunday the 26th, which means I need to be binding off then.

The total body length above the ribbing needs to be about 19-20". I have 7.5 rows per inch, so if I do 8 rows (2 vertical eyelet repeats) every day, I'll be done in plenty of time! It's kind of a lot but I've been really having a good time and cruising on this, plus if there's a few days I don't make it, I still have like a week of cushion.

As far as my other February plans, after I finish the cape I do still want to make linen pants, but I'm not going to try to do a swimsuit. Save that for April/May along with my Utena cosplay. I have a ton of home tidying stuff to get done this month (as well as working omg) so I want to keep it simple with just 3 projects. Once the sweater is done, my brainless couch project can be finishing the dochugi.