Thanks so much everyone for your ideas... I understand better how and when these monsters form now... It must be a combination of all these things you are pointing out.
I definitely need to tweak my leave in (i.e. with aloe) and sealant checking the ph and using butter every night instead of just applying any oil. If it still doesn't work, I'll try vaseline and grease on top (this is a war), and if it's not enough yet, silicones on top.
As for stretching, I will really stretch my ends every night like I mean it.
MyJourney2009 says:I looked at her hair one day and thought mmmm, if I twirl her hair in sections as if I was doing a shirley temple while working against gravity (pulling down as I go)that might help, making sure there is more than enough moisturizer on the ends. Lo and behold it did, NO MORE SSK.
VERY interesting, I've never heard of this technique: easy and no rollers involved. I wrote a message on your profile to thank you / ask more about it but I'll report your answer here as it might help other people as well.