Round 2 complete using the "I have gaping holes" method for joining rounds. Sl st (orange yarn) joins last MC of round to first. 16 MCs. Each MC creates two sts, one from the 'top' of the MC and one from the 'ch-1 to close'.

First MC of Round 3. Pick up first loop in the bottom of first ch from hook. Pick up second loop in sl st join. Skip next st, pick up last loop in the following st (note: this st will be a 'ch-1 to close' st). 4 loops on hook.

YO, draw through all four loops, ch-1 to close. First MC complete.

The MC-increase stacks two MCs on top of one MC from the round below. It begins and ends in 'ch-1 to close' sts.

Halfway through round. Four MCs, four MC-increases. 12 MC.

Prior to final MC-increase of round. Eight MCs, seven MC-increases worked. 22 MC.

First MC of final MC-increase. 23 MC.

Second MC of final MC-increase. Pick up last loop in sl st joining the round below - the same place you picked up the second loop in the first MC of round. As we are using the "I have gaping holes" method, do not ch-1 to close. 24 MC.

Join with sl st to top loop of first MC in round.