17 Going On 19

I need someone older and wiser telling me what to do. Or just wiser would probably work. Or someone better at math. While working this pattern, I'm required to execute two 3-needle bind offs attaching the front panels to the back. The problem is, following the pattern as well I could muster, I came up with 17 stitches on the front panels and 19 on the back shoulders.

The Law of Binding Off With 3 Needles states that the number of stitches being joined shall be the same. I double-checked the pattern and double-checked, even using a calculator to find out what the problem was. I still came up with 17 and 19. So I tinked back the front panels from the live stitches that were resting on waste yarn and altered the decreases so that the front now had 19 stitches instead of 17. I worked up the nerve to email the designer to find out what's up. Timid and shy and scared am I of things beyond my ken.

I also managed to pick up and knit the neck edging on the dress. Like many things on this garment, I think it would be better executed in wool instead of cotton. This splitty yarn is driving me nuts. However, for the little one that's going to be wearing it, I still think it's the best choice.

On to the sleeves.

Postscript: I just heard back from Kate Gilbert, the designer. She apologized for there being a mistake in the pattern (I'm still not sure that's the case), and she offered some hints as to how I could manipulate the situation should this ever arise again. Talk about gracious and helpful. I just love knitters.