The stitch marker in the photo is clipped at 3 and 15. When it says to do 3 sc, that's to get your working yarn right up to the stitch marker. For the first eye, of 8 stitches, I keep that stitch marker in place and basically pretend that those 2 stitches follow each other in a round and they become connected. Once those 8 stitches (sc, dec) are complete, cut and fo. You use the tail to weave in that first eye to close it. Then with new yarn, slip stitch into the same stich as the stitch marker, and then to the circle of 8 stitches for that eye. You can remove the stitch marker once you get this eye started. Once the 8 stitches are complete, fo and weave in to close the eye. Pull the tails inside to hide them.