I started this in the summer. This construction was quite difficult and I did at least 4-5 false starts before finally getting on.
I knit with the same needles and yarn as Elphaba and hit nearly the same gauge. It will probably give me a tad too many row’s but I like this material.

Adding stitches under arm
I use the backward loop method as the pattern calls for, but I cast on 1 stich less than called for (pattern called for 8 stiches, I cast on just 7). Then I knit the round. When I get back to the cast-on stiches I knit those 7 - and use the long tail that leads from the last new stich to the original back stitches to cast on the one stitch that I left out in the first place. I knit this one as well and do now have the correct amount of stitches - without superflous thread.

Thoughts on HBDs
Experiences from knitting Elphaba

• I had 232 stiches (116 + 116)
• I left 7 stiches at each side seam (a tad more than 1”)
• I needed 58 stitches in the middle to avoid the increases to hit at the high bust, which left 22 stiches for HBDs
• I needed quite a lot of material (F-cup, but slim back), and did 11 sets which looked good.

Valine

• I have 228 stitches (114 + 114)
• I’ll leave 7 stiches at each side seam (same gauge, yarn and needles as Elphaba)
• I’ll keep 56 stitches in the middle (or I may need 58 - and then have to settle for 6 stiches at each side seam)
• I’ll have 22 stiches for HBDs which will yild 11 sets (Since my chosen size for Valine is slightly larger than Elphaba I may not need the same amount of HBDs? Hmm.)

Alternating skeins
I’m alternating skeins for 6-10 rounds when I switch balls, but I’m not sure that it’s necessary. My way of alternating is to start under one arm and at each switch I do 1 stich with both threads. I find that this pulls less than just swapping. But of course it moves the swap to the left. I also keep 1/3 of the first ball in order to do the neckline trim in yarn from the same skein as the start of the project - and in order to alternate in the new skein on the top of the each sleeve as well.

A forgotten treasure
Sometimes Life get in the way of knitting. Now - I’m separated, got a new house, a new (old) car and both me and my two cats are setteled … I can get on with my knitting again and maybe finish this. Just a little week’s worth of knitting left.

Afterwards:
Alternating skeins is not necessary for this yarn/colorway. Didn’t do it after ripping back and reknitting.

Did rip back both body and sleeves and knit them slightly longer. Knit the sleeves on magic loop, both at the same time. Great for avoiding “second sleeve syndrome”.
Knit the body slightly short since this yarn tends to grow about 3-5 cm lengthwise for me.
Boud off using jssbo without wraping the purl stitches since jssbo is too stretchy and the standard bind off much to tight. Should have swapped to smaller needles for the bind off. Well - will do that next time.