When a pattern refers to a 2x2 ribbing, does that just mean to knit 2 rows, purl 2 rows, etc.?
No, it means Knit 2 stitches, Purl 2 stitches repeated across the entire row. 
When a pattern refers to a 2x2 ribbing, does that just mean to knit 2 rows, purl 2 rows, etc.?
No, it means Knit 2 stitches, Purl 2 stitches repeated across the entire row.