Learning to Knit: A Plea for Help

The literal part of my making goals this year began with learning, or re-learning, to knit. I had learned how to do a basic garter stitch several years ago, so this time I moved on to the stockinette stitch.

Since my current hat and gloves are not very adequate for winter weather, I decided to make a matching set of mittens, hat, and scarflet. Of course, I had to make the scarflet first--the one I needed least--and work my way up to the more difficult mittens and hat.

I finished the scarflet quickly, not following a pattern, just doing a plain stockinette to my desired width and length. I sewed on some cool buttons, blocked it, and was totally psyched to have my first knitting project under my belt.

Banksy was proud of me, too, I think. I even managed to do two fairly complex buttonholes! It only took me two tries to get them right.

But then...

Curling. Ugh. I asked the lady at my local knitting shop, and she said stockinette stitch just does that if it's not bordered with ribbing or similar to help keep it flat.

So I need some help from all you knitters out there. What's the best way to add some ribbing to the sides of my little scarflet? Can I knit it right on there somehow? Is it best to knit the ribbing separately and sew it on? Heeeelp!