Desperately needing help with pattern

I placed a blue arrow where I am stuck.

Welcome to the forum!
Fascinating pattern. What is the name and the designer?
It seems like you are going to be extending the knit piece that you’ve already made on either side. You can use the same provisional cast on to do this or use this one if you like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wkQRG4Tmv4
You can do this cast on with or without the leader crochet strand. Use scrap yarn for the cast on then use the working yarn to knit across the sts then turn at the end of the row and follow the directions to knit to the end and cast on again.
What kind of provisional did you use to start the pattern?

I actually don’t use a crochet hook to do a provisional CO. I use scrap yarn and make almost a figure 8. I’m not sure what it’s called, but it is the first method here


It looks like you are correct on the extension. Thank you so much