I'm trying to knit a Munchlax (Pokémon) for my bf's birthday in a couple weeks but the only pattern I could find did not include the 'skirt detail'. I'm a sort of intermediate level knitter so first I made it stockinette (like the stitch the plush is) but it curled like mad and looked awful. I tried again in 1x1 rib, it laid flat but then the stitches obvs didn't line up with the plush stitches so I couldn't attach it seamlessly. I added a few rows of stockinette to the skirt piece and tried to attach again and this is what it looks like (half done). I can't see any point continuing as it's obvious it's been joined and looks stupid.

Is there any way of knitting the skirt part again in stockinette with some way of preventing the curling? I'm so gutted about this as I thought it would make such a good bday gift for my bf.