It all began with this topic on KnittingParadise:
https://www.knittingparadise.com/threads/patterns-that-ma...

Yes, within the pattern, the increase isn’t clearly explained; however within the comments on Ravelry, it’s very clearly explained by the designer several times. Since folks on KP kept complaining, I grabbed a small ball of thin, dark blue yarn and a circular needle and began … several times. Now that I’m up to row 23, I can confidently say the pattern does work.

I don’t understand how anyone can kvetch about a pattern when there are a couple hundred successfully completed projects listed on Ravelry.

I do need to add another colour, if I expect the pattern to be visible.