Ruby Kelly

Co-signing this and adding a couple tweaks: for daily washes lather only your scalp and let the rinse clean the lengths and and keep the water lukewarm to cut dryness. On cheap bottles, look for cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium cocoyl isethionate, or sodium lauroyl sarcosinate plus glycerin and cetyl/stearyl alcohol, and avoid “repair/strengthening” formulas listing keratin or wheat/rice protein near the top for now. If you can, alternate a few days with a conditioner-only wash and finish with a pea-size leave-in or a few drops of light oil on the ends for extra softness.

New knitter here who went through the same thing. Acrylic can be perfectly warm for a scarf if the fabric is dense enough and the yarn is soft on the neck. Splitting usually means the yarn is loosely spun or even a single but then for an easier time next round and choose a smooth worsted or aran weight with several visible plies and a firmer twist. That actually kind of yarn resists splitting and gives clean stitch definition and which is comforting when you are learning. For maximum warmth with softness, wool is great, and merino is often the least scratchy. If you want easy care, look for superwash wool or a wool acrylic blend. Alpaca is very warm and drapey though it can shed a little. To help with the yarn you already have, try a slightly smaller needle and tips that are less pointy, work in good light, and let the ball dangle now and then if the strand seems to be untwisting. A gentle wash and block softens the fabric nicely. Works great. Plan enough yarn by checking yardage and weight before you start. For a classic width scarf in worsted, two to three hundred grams is common, more if you want it long or use a textured stitch. Quick test before committing by rubbing the yarn against your neck to see if it feels comfy.

Private lessons beat a packed evening class if you're anxious. Classes move on a schedule; panic doesn't. Keep sessions short, 20–30 minutes, and do them 3x/week for a month before chasing distance. Progression is simple: steady ✨ exhale, front float, back float, roll-to-stand, then short glides and kicks. Goggles only; ditch nose clips as soon as you can exhale without snorting. Expect weeks, not days.