Beginner’s question about a pattern

Hi everyone,
I’ve caught the crochet bug and am currently working on my first project (a comfort blanket for our baby).

But I’m already stuck on the first part of the pattern. I crocheted in the round from rows 1–26, working 80 half-double crochets in each row. In the 27th and final round, I’m supposed to decrease from 80 half-double crochets to 18, but still end up with 80 stitches. Then I’m supposed to close everything off with 40 slip stitches without cutting the yarn. I can’t figure out how this is supposed to work. How do I go from 80 half double crochets to 18 half double crochets, and how do I then close the opening with slip stitches?

I hope someone can help me. Thanks so much in advance. Best regards, annamuckel

Hi Anna,

welcome to our forum.
Have you tried contacting the author of your pattern directly?  

If you got the pattern here on Crazypatterns, it’s really easy via the contact form - just go to the pattern, click on the author’s name and then click “Contact.”
Or maybe there’s an email address listed in the pattern itself that you can use.

Best wishes and good luck
Stefanie