Confused on sts...

[Evapche]

So I'm attempting to make my first dress for my cousin's little girl. The top is done in a flab that is buttoned to the back. On the front flap I"m supposed to be decreasing until I have (according to the pattern) 22 sts. But here is where I'm confused. Just about everything I have done the smallest size always has the fewest number of sts but here's is what it says:

"Front Flap
Row 1: Purl to marke