Knitters--a stockinette earflap cap is rolling on edges-how can I fix that?

Question

I have made this hat: http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/na_knitting/article/0,2025,DIY_14141_4860628,00.html

and the bottom edges curl upwards because I'm making it in stockinette. The earflaps curl a little also. Even after I've added the crochet to the edge. I'd make something with a little texture to it, but my kids are really begging for that flat stockinette look.

Is there a way to do this where it won't curl?

Thanks everyone!

Answer 1

If all methods in the other answers do not help you can knit the earflaps again and sew them, purl side to purl side to the ones on the hat.
That will work for the bottom of the hat too.

The crocheting will 'sew' them together.

Answer 2

That's the nature of stockinette as a result of the geometry of the knit and purl sides of the fabric. Knit stitches are vertically rectangular and purl stitches are essentially square, the yarn wants them to be the same shape, the result is that the fabric curls trying to accommodate the yarn. Keeping it from curling does require more than an single row of crochet, although doing the crochet row with a smaller hook than called for will help--usually ones uses a hook the same mm size as the knitting needle, so the next size down often helps--in this hat I'd use a G or H hook since it's bulky yarn. Blocking the hat can also help, although it won't cure it. However, the surest way is to have a ribbed or garter/seed stitch border at least half an inch deep on the edges.

Answer 3

stockin stitch naturally curls, what you can do is make the earflap in garter stitch and for the bottom of the hat try 2 inches of 1*1 rib (knit 1 purl 1)that is for sure to prevent the curling effect.

Answer 4

a stockinette stitch is suppose to curl
one way to get rid of the curls is to iron it
the other way is the way I invented went my iron isn't working
I find two dictionaries, sandwich my project inside and leave it in there for a few days

Answer 5

You should block it. The easiest way is to pin it in place on a thick towel (I would fold the hat in half and pin the flaps flat.) then get any spray bottle and put water in it. Spritz it and let it dry. Make sure your pins are stainless steel so they don't rust!!

http://faknitic.blogspot.com/2007/10/blocking.html

http://www.crochetme.com/blog/crochetme/how-to-spray-block-crochet-or-knit-squares