You definitely need to read the pattern before you begin in order to understand the construction.

Crochet Cast On.
I’ve only used the crochet cast-on as a provisional one and have always done it by making a chain and then picking up stitches in the back loop, but after watching this video I’m now a convert to doing it this way.

• To ensure a loose cast on - I used a crochet hook two sizes larger than the corresponding hook/needle recommendation.
• I used the corresponding crochet hook size to work the slots

The pattern provides a link for a method of starting the cast-on without a slipknot, but as a long time crocheter I know how to smooth the beginning by picking back the slipknot and the end result is the same.

The Slots
Finished first slot following the instruction posted on the This is Knit blog post of Pfeilraupe: Slots.

I did end up one stitch short after the first attempt. I was suppose to have 292 total stitches. Reworked the cast-on for the slot by being more careful of where the markers were suppose to go back on and had no further troubles.

Work the stitches at the corners of the slots VERY tightly and it almost always produces a very nice and tidy slot. I did have to jigger a few stitches to tighten things up.

Short Edge
It took three tries to find a selvage stitch I liked for the short edge:

1. First I tried the selvage stitch provided with the pattern (end of the row: slip stitch with yarn in front / start of row: knit through the back loop) but I didn’t like how it looked.

2. I also tried a regular selvage stitch (start of row: slip stitch with yarn in front / end of row: knit) and didn’t like that either.

3. Finally I tried the two stitch I-cord edge (end of row: with yarn in front, slip last two stitches / start of row: knit) and it worked perfect.

It should be noted that how the selvage stitch looks for the short edge is dependent on the yarn and personal preference. When I was knitting with the Kaléido yarn I used a regular selvage stitch and liked the look of that.

• Because of the I-cord selvedge edge I adjusted how I worked the short edge increases --I kfb (knit front to back) in the fourth stitch from the end of the row, k1 and then worked a two stitch I-cord.

Upper Long Edge
The Upper Long Edge uses double stitches for the short rows. This is the first time I’ve used this technique and I had a really hard time determining which stitches had been “doubled”. I marked each one so I could see them when working the bind-off row.

I used a size 7 needle to bind off.