Washing with live sts is definitely a good idea. If you have to continue, you can just start again and if you have to unravel there’s at least no bind off to unpick. I’m generally using metal needles, which I just leave in, if I have to wash before something is finished.
And on the swatch - I feel you, I like to live dangerously myself …
😉
@thegiddystitcher
I’ve been known to do that … Every once in a while. To keep track of stitch count and yarn used at each step.