Hello all,

I've been crocheting for many years, but I have just recently begun tackling hat patterns that I always seem to mess up. I read and follow the pattern exactly, but I always end up with more stitches at the end than I am supposed to.

Here is a segment from my most recent problem:

ROUND 3:
Ch 2; 1 dc in the same stitch as the chain/join * 1 dc in next st; 2 dc in next st; Repeat from * around.(42 dc)

ROUND 4:
Ch 2; 1 dc in the same st as the chain/join; *1 dc in next 2 sts; 2 dc in next st. Repeat from * for entire round. Sl st to join in first dc.(54 dc)

I follow the instructions precisely, but always seem to end up with 56 stitches total (counting the ch-2 and first dc, as per the instructions). Is it me, or is it the pattern?