Stitch numbers don't add up!

[dichotomy]

I am working on this tank top http://www.knitsimplemag.com/images/...g/stripes4.jpg
I am shaping the neckline. I start off, as it says, with 59 sts.

Neck Shaping
Dec row 1 (RS) K1, [k1, p1] twice, ssk, k 19 sts, k2tog, k1, place next st on holder, attach a second ball of yarn, k1, ssk, k 19 sts, k2tog, [p1, k1] twice, k1 - 27 sts each side.

Dec row 2 (WS) Working both sides at once, dec 1 st at each neck edge. Rep last 2 rows 3 times more - 17 sts.


After I repeat the 3 times more, I have 27 sts, not 17. (Decrease 4 each row, for 8 rows, 59-32 = 27) It doesn't seem from the rest of the pattern that I'm supposed to put any more sts on the holder, I just pick them up later to attach the strap. Am I misunderstanding the instructions?