Woolyewonders pants pattern question

[stretchmark]

Hi all, I have been looking over all the longies/pants patterns out there and really like the looks of the woolywonders. I was reading through the needles listed and it confused me.
It said that you needed the following:
· 1 12-inch or 16-inch US
· 1 12-inch or 16-inch US
· 1 40-inch US

I don't get it. I am really new to knitting and am wondering why the first two are listed twice. And I am guessing that the 40 incher is a round needle but what size, is that what the first two things are referencing?

I e-mailed her about it but always post here 'cause I know you all are so smart.

[rubidoux]

i don't have the pattern un front of me, but it should read something like

-- one 12 or 16 inch us size x
-- one 12 or 16 inch us size y

the smaller size is probably a 3 to do ribbing and then you use the larger one (probably a 5, 6 or 7) to do the main body of the pants

then the 40 inch will be the same size needle as the larger 12 or 16 inch needle and that's what you do the legs on.

btw, i have the pattern and i really like it

J.