Patch #3: Alternating Drop (In Progress)

I started swatch #3, an alternating vertical drop stitch pattern.

For this swatch, I decided to decrease the number of stitches in the lace panel to accommodate the holes.  So, I cast on 41 stitches and worked 6 rows of garter stitch. I then knit the setup row, but every 5 stitches inside the borders I K2tog. Normally the inside panel would be 31 stitches. I reduced it to 26.  As you'll see in this photo, the pattern bows in the borders, but I'm hoping that when I block it, the holes will open up and it will maintain a solid 9-inch square. 

Here's the swatch a little over half-way done. 

The pattern is in the following post.