Knitting: a novice question

[BumperliciousIsOneHotMother]

I'm fairly new to this knitting malarkly, but am enjoying it.

I was just wondering though, if I am knitting stocking stitch and I am not paying attention, or put it down, how do I remember which stitch to do next?

look at the stitche s you are doig. really look at hem. i describe them to myself as purl being the one with the horizontal loop, whilst knit has the vertical one.
you just need to recognise what they look like... not much help i suppose.

look at the stitche s you are doig. really look at hem. i describe them to myself as purl being the one with the horizontal loop, whilst knit has the vertical one.
you just need to recognise what they look like... not much help i suppose.

Do you mean at the start of a row? If it's ordinary stocking stitch ( and not rev st st) then if the right side is facing you on the left hand needle, then you knit, if it's the wrong (bumpy) side then you purl.
(had wine, may not make sense)

With stocking stitch, the smooth side is knit, the bumpy side is purl.
Me I am on mumsnet cos the kids have hidden my current project knitting pattern somewhere and I'm at a point where I need the instructions

If the bit facing you when you pick up your knitting as if about to knit is lumpy, purl, if it's smooth like the normal outside of a jumper, knit.

Ahhhhh (bathes in holy lights of realisation) so simple I didn't even think about that.

Well I'm sure it won't be my last stupid question on here!

am glad nonchalance paid off there

These are much better answers than MINE, btw, which was "oh you get used to it"