A couple of weeks ago I came across a pin that detailed a different way to make the thumb in a pair of mittens.  With nothing to lose except my least favourite part of knitting mittens (for some reason I find rows of increases frustrating) I decided to give it a try.  It is deceptively easy: knit 5 stitches with a piece of scrap yarn.

Slip the 5 stitches back to the left needle and knit across:

When you’re done the mitten, go back and pick up the stitches on the scrap yarn, pick up a couple on either side, and off you go.

Easy peasy!  I love this technique; it’s so easy, makes a nice thumb, (and did I mention it was easy?)