We can talk about the pattern later (next time I’ll show you the two sides together, and then you can revel in the niftiness of the stitches) but for now, look at that loop of yarn.

That loop is what happens when you’re working the last part of the hand and realize you’re going to be really close on yarn.  Really really close.  Really a lot.  And so, in an effort to make the most of the available yarn, you go find the other end of the yarn (hint, it’s not very far away, that’s the whole source of the problem) and start working the thumb at the same time as you are working the hand.  You just alternate, doing one round of the thumb and one round of the hand, until you can’t stand the tension any more and bind off.

And it worked.  I got the same number of rounds on the hand and the thumb, and I did as many rounds as I possibly could with the available yarn.  And, you know, it amused the part of me that wants to do these things precisely, which is always a bonus.