March 3- Started with a foundation hdc of 65 in stead of beginning chain. (The top ended up being too big around for my 4 year old granddaughter. I estimate starting with 55 stitches would have be about right. Since I had already finished everything but the straps I ended up overlapping the back and seaming it closed to make it tighter around.) I crocheted a wider band than the pattern (10 rounds with an I hook). Then with a J hook I crocheted 10 rounds of the mesh section, switched to K hook and did 11 more rounds of the mesh section. I did not want the the “holes” of the mesh to be so large, so I altered the pattern to sc, chain 3, skip 2, repeat. Waiting to see my granddaughter to measure for the straps.
Straps: I hook, 14 rows each side, then 6 rows after joining including joining row (about 11 inches total length).