How to knit popcorn pattern

[Nekabu]

The instructions say:

purl 3 together. Knit into the front of the next stitch but leave it on the left hand needle. Bring the wool to the front and purl into the front of same stitch but leave it on the left needle. Take wool to the back of work and knit into front of same stitch again. Slip stitch off left hand needle. I've been reading that to mean take the last 'knit into front of same stitch' stitch onto the right needle and then the original stitch and the increased k1 and p1 stitches have been the 3 I've then purled together.

I'm obviously doing something wrong because I'm losing 2 stitches with the purl 3 together but then am gaining 3 stitches with the knit/purl/knit business. So each time I repeat the purl 3 together + k1p1k1 into the front of the next stitch on the left hand needle I'm gaining an extra stitch!

Can anyone show me where I'm going wrong please?

Don't know quite what you are doing, but I end up with 1 stitch out of 3 when I purl 3 tog and with 3 out of 1 with the k/p/k and then you slip the stitch off.
Try doing it exactly as they tell you and see whether you have any more success.

Ah! I think I know where I'm going wrong! I'm leaving the original stitch on the left hand needle + the extra knits and purl! Thanks!

Yes, that's what I thought you did. Glad you got it sorted.

I'll have a go tonight ... keep your fingers crossed please!

Not much good at knitting with my fingers crossed ... I've got my own knitting to do, you know.

I think I've got it ... Thanks for your help and hope your knitting is zooming along (crossed fingers & all!)!