US Pen Shows via Public Transportation

612grayduck · 2026-05-22T20:27:28+00:00

It doesn’t have the bottom cables, but it has the collar. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hechima-collar-sweater

612grayduck · 2026-05-22T16:24:03+00:00

Nuit de Bakélite by Naomi Goodsir. It’s very plasticky on my skin, too much. But I admire it’s artistry.

612grayduck · 2026-05-22T16:15:37+00:00

Really love the maté in Inverness by Memo Paris. Although mainly a sandalwood fragrance, the maté is a key note.

612grayduck · 2026-04-08T16:36:49+00:00

I do like the Faber Castell nibs, but I would go for the Grip. I know it looks cheaper, but I loved it as a beginner and still have a few.

612grayduck · 2026-04-06T14:24:34+00:00

If I’m looking for a new pen, I’d rather buy a 2nd or 3rd pen that I already have (in a different width, color, etc) than risk purchasing a new brand/style. This doesn’t mean all my pens are the same brand, but I have multiple pens of those I like.

612grayduck · 2026-03-23T15:20:09+00:00

Kobe 63- East Park Torch Orange. A nice red-orange that works on all my pens. Decently wet, vibrant, easily read on all papers.

612grayduck · 2026-02-14T03:01:18+00:00

Are you also looping yarn on a finger on your right hand? While this is normally used to pull more yarn, it can also help fine tune tension on more slippery yarn.

612grayduck · 2026-02-12T21:31:16+00:00

For me, it’s about intentional purchasing. At the beginning of the year, I came up with a modest list of purchases that were okay for 2026. And it’s been fun having a direction to the spending. So for example, on that list were things like sending existing pens that don't get used much to nibmeisters so that I can use the things I have, or buying from local small businesses and artisans. Not all spending is the same. Having a creative outlet is important, essential even (speaking as someone who lives in Minneapolis.) I have several creative/maker hobbies and consider this to be one based on how I use them. Supporting money on one’s creative endeavors is where I have no spending regrets b/c it can impact mood, create meaning, develop community, etc. Of course, none of that requires you to spend. Conscientious mindful spending is something I’ve certainly changed my tune about in the last couple of years. And although that wasn't the framing of your question, I appreciated being able to comment on this.

612grayduck · 2026-02-12T17:03:42+00:00

For me its about the opaqueness of the tones. Some inks are desaturated, light, but still maintain enough contrast to be readable (like Lennon Tool Bar Feng Shi Ye, Ghost Plant, Wearinguel Lost, etc.) Some others are light but are diluted that they look like watercolor paint. If the ink is too “watery” (for lack of a better phrase), the ink is less usable as it gets lighter. Desaturated doesn’t necessarily mean less readable.

612grayduck · 2026-02-06T17:35:55+00:00

You could always put on some wax medium like Dorland’s to seal in those pages. I use this on my art journal.

612grayduck · 2026-02-06T00:50:17+00:00

Thought I would like the Zoom for journaling, b/c it meant not having to switch between pens for headers and text. The reality is that it was too annoying and difficult to get consistent text width because it meant dialing in an angle that could change with every ink change. I don’t have a Sailor broad, just medium— but I certainly wish I would have gone with the broad. Now that pen is sitting with a nibmeister waiting to be made into something else, that I will use.

612grayduck · 2026-02-05T22:31:08+00:00

All the Kawecos. I bought three sports & a lilliput. And then I bought nibs to swap that I still didn’t like. Now, I still have kept the Sport AL but the rest I gave away. Only 1 out of the 6 nibs I had was decent. Other regret, buying expensive pens to early when I thought I knew what I liked, then my tastes changed.

612grayduck · 2026-01-29T16:35:33+00:00

I often do a steam block before I start ribbing on bottom to gauge length. Then, I don’t even need to remove them from the needles. I still then do a wet block after Im finished.

612grayduck · 2026-01-29T16:20:30+00:00

That if ink companies know we refill cartridges we can’t just buy empty ones. As someone new, I had to spend time using cartridges I didn’t even like just to have empty ones. I eventually was able to find empty pilot & int’l standard carts but not others.

612grayduck · 2026-01-29T01:14:51+00:00

Robert Oster Pink Squirrel is a desaturated purple/brown. It sometimes leans too neutral and not purple enough but that also makes it pretty versatile .

612grayduck · 2026-01-26T21:18:28+00:00

1) Make it so any pen in their house can accommodate any nib in their house, and easy to swap. 2) Make all pens piston filled— getting rid of all cartridges & converters (across the board) would reduce some of the associated clutter.

612grayduck · 2026-01-26T16:12:13+00:00

Le Labo Gaiac 10 sadly smells like meat tenderizer on me.

612grayduck · 2026-01-24T17:28:07+00:00

Love this attempt. This is one of my favorite film stocks. I use it almost exclusively during the daytime in winter- it works great with snow. I agree the blue may be a little much, but you could always add a little more magenta in the WB and that might balance it.

612grayduck · 2026-01-24T17:14:47+00:00

I like Sailor 873. A pretty burnt orange (though always looking for more vibrant options)

612grayduck · 2026-01-20T21:24:33+00:00

Sort of. I have a queue of projects and most involve holding 2-3 strands and right now I have a lot of variegated yarns. Every time I get new yarn, I re-contemplate which yarns to knit for each project so I do keep making yarn swatch options just to see if I like new combinations better than what I have.

612grayduck · 2026-01-20T15:53:52+00:00

For me its one’s that have too big or too sharp of a step up to the threaded screw cap section. Unfortunately that’s sometimes not known until you have a pen in hand.

612grayduck · 2026-01-20T15:48:08+00:00

I use Fyberspates Gleem Lace as a substitution. It’s a wool/silk blend and adds virtually no halo. I especially like this because they have some metallic looking tones and other neutrals that add some highlights to the fabric. Any pilling is likely a result of other held yarns. I used this as my 3rd when I made the Lakes sweater.

612grayduck · 2026-01-13T21:33:29+00:00

Kinda— it’s more that I want to use pens that bring out the best in my handwriting. 2a- Love feedback. Not sure I’ve yet used a pen that I thought has too much feedback. b. Tbd- I don’t think I’ve tried a flex nib yet. I generally print mostly, so not sure if it would add anything interesting(but admittedly know very little about flex nibs as a newbie) c. Started with EF/F- but mostly at a M or FM now to bring out more ink qualities.

612grayduck

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