Make a swatch - or two. Cast on 10-12 stitches, purl one row, do a few rows of pattern, then purl one row and cast off. Do you like it? Ifyes, that's it. If not, unravel your little swatch, cast on again and try it without the extra purl rows.

Knitting swatches gives you extra practice; makes you more aware of your stitches; teaches you about gauge, and can prevent knitting disasters by telling you that "I don't really like this pattern/yarn/stitch" before you are WAY into a garment.

Good luck with the scarf!

Thanks - I was planning to do that. I knit a lot of swatches for the reasons you stated. I keep the ones I like in individual "snack size" zip-lock baggies and labeled with the name of the pattern (and sometimes the source), the needle size, and type of CO and BO.

Just wondered if anyone had anything in particular to suggest.

A row (or two) of all purl stitches at the end (as both you and anne b suggested) will give you a solid base to bind off from. It would be a lot easier than trying to bind off with yarn overs - which would look very sloppy.

As you said you need to do that after you cast on as well - so both ends are the same.

Happy knitting,
Janey (Jane2 here)