I think your idea is excellent. I had noticed that the button band in the photo did look just a bit too long, and I often use short rows to address that issue in knit-on buttonbands. Good plan!

I'm just about to start swatching, with an odd choice--Berroco Sensuwool. I think it'll be close on gauge, and it's a 'flat' yarn, which might be nice for stitch definition. We'll see!

I was considering working the button band already attached to the front and back, making button holes in BOTH sides so that I don't get confused.

Also plan to work both fronts at the same time. THAT might take a little "doing".

I've slowed down my progress some...I get about 5 rows a day done on the back. I can't seem to go any faster than that because my eyes start to bother me (eye strain), then I get a headache. I love how the pattern is shaping up, though, and can't wait to start on the fronts.

I usually knit both sleeves together and both fronts and the back together also. Keeps them the same size and if hyou make a mistake, you may it the same way so it doesn't look off in context with the other pieces. I had thought about doing the body in the round (not steeking) and then adding the already knitted sleeves at the underarm bind offs. with all this patterning, I am having second thoughts but I am still knitting a gauge swatch. I have decided to try to adjust my guage to get the same stitch count for my measurements and then use Sweater Wizard to adjust row gauge to may actual guage. My fist swatch was pretty far off with size US 7's so now I am using 5's. I am using elann Peruvian HIghland wool in a different color than what I am using for the FLAK. janet's teaching will be very helpful in doing this sweater as well. since Janet is intentionally going very slowiy for the newbies, I can do a reasonable pace for both sweaters.