Sitcom Chic progress report

I finished the body of the cardigan (about 13" long). I went ahead and started the first sleeve.

It took me 3 cast-ons to start the sleeve. I hope I'm reading the instructions correctly. It seems that the marker will be shifting every INC row. I wish I had small enough circulars. Working on DPNs is tough. How do you prevent ladders? I guess I'll just have to keep sliding 1 st over so the ladder is not as visible.