@Aussie_Izz the strings are not supposed to meet in the middle. That's just how the pattern portrays it.
There is supposed to be a hole in the middle. If you want to learn how to knot shaped alphas, you can check out MashaKnots' video on the shaped frog bracelet or Alex's Innovations' video on the shaped evil eye bracelet. Both these videos don't show holes, but it works exactly the same. Unused base strings get hidden in the edges.
The strings that you see crossing in the middle of the pattern are the leading strings. They are not supposed to actually cross there.