Need help with pattern

How-to Questions
1

I’m making these baby booties and having a hard time reading the pattern. How can you k stitches and then leave them unworked? The next step of this pattern says K27 and leave unworked.

Shape Instep
Next Round: K27 and leave unworked, k12, leave remaining 15 sts unworked. Next Row: Turn and p12.

Decrease Row: Turn, knit first st together with first unworked st, k10, slip last st, knit next unworked st, pass slip st over – 12 sts. Repeat last 2 rows 9 more times, work to end of round on last row – 34 sts. Continue to work in rounds around all sts for 4 rounds.

Any help is appreciated.

2

That first “leave unworked” is really not needed. Kniit 27 then k12, turn and purl 12. You’ll be leaving sts at each end unworked.

3

How many stitches are on your needles?