Bottom edge is 12 total rows of:
1: k2, p2
2: k2, p2
3: p2, k2
4: p2, k2
which looks surprisingly like scales.

I replaced two decrease and two increase waist shaping rows with regular rows. I also made it 4 rows longer, counting the hem rows. I was planning to add more rows but the length seemed to be coming out OK.

When picking up stitches for the armholes and neckline I pulled the yarn through but did not knit the stitch. I made the i-cord twice as wide for the neckline only - cast on 4 then k3, ssk. When I got to the end of the neckline I knit another few rows of i-cord (without ssk) before binding off so would meet other end nicely. Later removed the i-cord bind off and a few stitches then put end of yarn through the loose stitches, not pulling too tight, for a neater end.

I thought about tapering down the straps on the outside a bit, but decided it was fine.

Finished first ball after 12 rows of border and nearly halfway through row 28 of body, about 3” long.
Start third ball at beginning of row 61.
Start 4th ball halfway through row 96.
Started 5th ball beginning of row 129 when cast off for armhole (using needle two sizes larger - US8).

I think this was knit on US6, but might have been US5.