I had to create a chart to get started. This is a great yarn for this pattern, shiny and soft.

Pattern modifications:

1. I narrowed the left side one stitch to make the center spine symmetric. This was easy to do because I used charts instead of written instructions.
2. Instead of KRL, k1, KRL I’m doing knit, yarn-over, knit. This will create a line of small holes up the spine. I prefer this to the asymmetry of KRL, k1, KRL.
3. I’m alternating right twist rows with left twist rows to create a woven effect, just like with the original Chinese checkers stitch pattern.
4. 15 pattern repeats instead of 12.
5. I made the first row of ribbing go RT, p2, k2, p2 with the right twists lining up with the pattern.

I ran out of yarn and had to do only 7 rows of ribbing instead of 9. It looks OK.

I decided to attach the last few feet of yarn to the cast-on tail and make a crochet chain through the holes of the center spine.