If you haven’t discovered it yet, ask about highlighting tape at your LYS.  It was designed for students (aren’t we all students?) to mark in textbooks without damaging the pages.  You rip off the tape and place it on your pattern, then lift and re-stick it as you are working your pattern.  I used to tick off the rows, but when you are repeating the pattern 10 times, the tick marks get messy and confusing.  Highlight tape is a great tool for the knitter or crocheter.