I know there are knitting needles size in US, and in metric (mm). But I have seen UK measurements, which are labeled "former Canadian" or "old UK" (I have no idea how old). I have also seen Japanese sizes (middle of this page) which are like 5.1mm or 2.7mm. Additionally, needle manufacturers make needles which aren't quite to the charts, I have a pair of #9 Brittany Birch which are marked 5.25mm, a size which doesn't even show up on the huge needle size chart in the new Patternworks catalog. I'm curious, do you ever find yourself needing an old UK or Japanese needle size chart? Or have things settled into US and metric (mm) sizes pretty well?

Hovey Lee wrote to tell me she is having a Trunk Show this Saturday for her line of gorgeous jewelry - Crystal Charm. The show is in her studio in Emeryville, details are here. I cannot think of a better excuse to check out Ikea and the new shopping area in Emeryville while you are there.

Bay Area related - This week's Guardian, The Superlist Issue, contains information on Stitch and Bitch groups and craft gatherings in the city and the East Bay. Listings start on page 26 and go to page 28, and they are also online here.

I get word that the Urban Knitting Studio, a new yarn shop in the city, opened recently. I saw their booth at Stitches West and they look to be very cool.