Shakerag Top - Carrying Yarn

Is there a recommended way to carry the yarn when knitting a single strand 6-row segment? Mine looks awful. As instructed, I’ve been looping the yarn over the strand I’m knitting with and keeping the yarn at an even tension. But I still have gaps, loose stitches, and I can see the carried strand in the gap between stitches. In the photo the join is just below the purple marker. How can I make it look better? Thanks

Not sure if this will help you, but was on another Shakerag Top thread Stripes In The Round Tutorial: Step-By-Step Knitting Instructions