Hey Dav3y!!! This is NOT a lame question!!

Yes, on a strat, that volume knob is right there in the way of things!!

Try keeping your picking hand as RELAXED as possible, so that even if you do bump into that volume knob, you are fluid and you kind of just "bounce" off of it.

Also, take a look at the shape of your picking hand when you palm mute. Do you keep it straight and parallel with the bridge? If yes, then experiment with curling your fingers a little more towards the neck.

I notice when i palm mute on a strat, the fingers on my picking hand naturally curl towards the neck, and anchor in the space between the high E string and the volume knob. If you can get your hand relaxed and in this position, you could even lightly rest the side of your pinky right onto the volume knob. This might be something to experiment with if your picking hand is staying straight and parallel with the bridge.

Hopefully this gives you a few things to experiment with when palm muting. Let me know if it has been of any help!

Thanks for the question, and keep rocking!!
Mike