Continuing across the row, drop the first marker, CO one st, work across the thumb sts. Drop the second marker, CO one st. Place the last 19 sts on another holder. Purl back over the thumb sts. Continue to work the thumb in stockinette st.
Thread end into yarn needle and draw through all the sts, slipping the sts from the needle.
Draw the sts up tightly and fasten securely. Starting at the beginning of the row on the knit side, K the 19 sts from the first holder. End with purl row. P one row. Repeat last two rows until 9 sts remain.