This is my first attempt at making mittens, and I just have a question. Do I have to do anything special to make the thumb? Or do I just follow the pattern? Thanks for any help you have to give, it is VERY much appreciated! 
Cast on 34 stitches on a size 6 needle. Work 2 – 2 ½ inches of ribbing (for cuff) using k1, p1.
Begin the hand: Row 1 & 3: knit. Row 2 and even rows: purl.
Row 5 (beginning thumb): k 16, increase 1 stitch in each of the next 2 stitches, k 16.
Row 7: k 16, inc 1 st in the next st, *k 2, inc 1 st in the next st, k 16.
Row 9: like row 7, but k 4 between the increase stitches.
Row 11: like row 7, but k 6 …
Row 13: like row 7, but k 8 …
Row 15: like row 7, but k 10 …
Row 17: like row 7, but k 12 …
Row 19: k 31, put remaining st (17) on stitch holder.
Row 20: p 14, put remaining st (17) on stitch holder.
Knit a row, purl back until thumb is desired length, k 2 together to “gather” on last row. Cut yarn about 12 inches, use a needle to sew up the side of thumb.
Put the stitches from the stitch holders back onto the two knitting needles. When you reattach the yarn, create a new stitch at the base of the thumb. I always wait a couple rows to knot the attached yarn so I don’t get a hole at the base of the thumb. Finish knitting across, purl back. Continue until the mitten is desired length. K 2 tog at the top, probable twice so you have about 8 stitches left. Cut yarn, sew up side of mitten with a needle.
