I have more questions - please.

Hi everyone. I recieved my Palette yarn from knit picks - and I love the colors! I also got size 3 single point needles from Joann's and ordered size 2 and 2.5 from online (for making the clothes). I started my first Babe using the size 3 needles (to check a guage). My gauge with this yarn using #3 needles is: 1 inch = 7.5 stiches and 9.5 rows (right at the recommended gauge for the pattern in the book).

Now here's where I am a little uncertain (confused). When reading the book - on page 23 - it shows the body width to be 3.25 inches (perhaps 3.5 before sewing together). However, the directions on page 26 say to cast on 18 stiches. My body with 18 stiches is only 2.5 ish inches wide and in order to get the desired 3.5 inches width I will need to cast on 25 stiches. So . . . my question is: is the book incorrect on page 26 and should I cast on enough stiches to get a body width of 3.5 inches? Or should I not be concerned and make a skinny little babe with a 2.5 inch body width (won't her head look really big?) ?

I would be very interested to know what you have done , what your results were, and your thoughts.

Thanks so much for your responses. Again - I am learning so much from all of you and I thank you so much for sharing. DD