joining raglan sweater in the round

I'm working on this sweater where you knit the collar flat for a number of rounds and then join. I did an increase row, then cast on stitches with the backwards loop, now it says:

"break yarn leaving tail (to weave in later), slide the first 17 front stitches from left needle to right without working. You will join to work in the round when you reach the gap on the next round. Knit one round."

Knit with what?? It says to break the yarn but then doesn't tell me anything about how to get the working yarn back.

Also, does slide 17 stitches without working mean just slip them one by one? Or somehow catch them all with my needle and bring them over together? Or does it not matter?

Thanks in advance.