Easier than it looks! Goes pretty quick once you get the hang of the pattern.

I did not like the bind off so I changed it to match the cast on better in the dropped stitch ladders.
Using bind off - p2, return both to starting needle and purl these stitches together, P1, return 2 st to starting needle and purl 2 together.
Ending section row 9 & 17 and corresponding rows in the final repeat of ending section:
B/O 2 (3) stitches as indicated in pattern, do not drop next stitch yet, instead, pull last stitch worked bigger and make a second loop over the needle in the same stitch.
Purl the stitch that will get dropped.
Purl the next stitch then return it to the left needle.
Now drop the next stitch on the right needle to the y/o, and drop the second loop of the double stitch, being careful to retain the loose tension formed on the loop and on the dropped stitch.
Move the loose stitch to the left needle and purl it together with the next stitch on the left.
Continue on with pattern as written (p4, y/o, p5)
(Reverse left and right for knitting backwards)