I found a video, I think if you actually see someone do it it might help.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1ock...eature=related
The first time I picked up stitches it was terrifying, I thought for sure my whole project would fall apart. It didn't, yours won't, you'll get the hand of it. I actually saw how to do it in a mittens video, setting up for an afterthought thumb.