I got this in the mail from Cathy in Sarnia (that's here in Ontario, home of the Sarnia Sting) apparently I've been issued a receipt of sorts.
Dear Stephanie,
Squirrels Without Borders would like to thank you for your kind gift of wool. Several sweaters will be donated in your name to the less fortunate city Rat Bastards.
Cathy
What I want to know is: what size needles to squirels use?
Posted by: april z at July 6, 2007 10:36 AMWell, I think that's perfectly lovely. If the squirrels are receiving sweaters, they'll be less likely to steal wool, right? Or, do you think that the yarn fumes will simply encourage them to steal more?
Posted by: miri at July 6, 2007 10:39 AMHmmm. Looks like a perfect use for leftover sock yarn. Wonder just how much tax credit we'd get?
Posted by: Harriet at July 6, 2007 10:42 AMHow do I explain to others in my office why I am laughing so hard the tears are streaming down my cheeks? How, oh how, do we explain to the muggles why we find this so funny? I am so happy to be part of a community with this kind of sense of humor. It is so much fun! Thanks for sharing. Hee hee hee heee..........
Posted by: Carol at July 6, 2007 10:43 AMBetter squirrels than penquins...
Posted by: cedar wallace at July 6, 2007 10:45 AMCan't write for laughing. You're so generous you didn't even realize how giving you were!!
Love you, Stephanie, and all you do - rain or shine.
Posted by: Jelayne at July 6, 2007 10:46 AMHoly Cow! I about choked on my morning bagel on this one! It brought the Hubster running, lest he find me passed out on the floor. Not to worry, dear Hubster, it's just Stephanie's Blog....again.
Posted by: Liz at July 6, 2007 10:46 AMA receipt, that is funny. At least he won't take my slot for Ravelry.
Posted by: Miriam McAllister at July 6, 2007 10:48 AMAren't *all* squirrels, Squirrels Without Borders? Or are there Bordered Squirrels of which I know not?
Posted by: ccr in MA at July 6, 2007 10:48 AMStephanie... a hero to knitters and rodents everywhere! This is too funny. If I'd laughed any harder I'd have wet myself... oops, tmi. Enjoy a great weekend.
Posted by: Heide at July 6, 2007 10:48 AMOMG. Hilarious! Thank god I wasn't drinking anything, because it would have been squirted all OVER the keyboard.
Posted by: kelly at July 6, 2007 10:50 AMIf we keep the squirrels warm (and healthy), we will unfortunately end up with even more squirrels. Love the photo though. Squirrels Without Borders - that's hilarious.
Posted by: Jo-Anne at July 6, 2007 10:51 AMCathy deserves a medal for quick thinking. That's awesome.
Oh, and Miriam's comment made me snort.
Here's to a peaceful end to the War on Squirrels!
Posted by: Divine Bird Jenny at July 6, 2007 10:52 AMToooo, tooo, funny. Maybe if I knit for the squirrels, they will stop stealing the bird seed.
I'm glad I finished my coffee before reading this. Hilarious!
Posted by: Peggy at July 6, 2007 10:54 AMbut I want to know who is doing the spinning for those squirrels and how can we make them stop.
For pity's sake, we would donate yarn for squirrel sweaters, but fleece people - this was FLEECE!!
Posted by: Barbara at July 6, 2007 10:59 AMThere is a Sarnia in Canada! That's amazing! Sarnia is the name the Romans gave to our little 'ol island of Guernsey - Our national "anthem"/song is called Sarnia Cherie :-) Interesting fact about Guernsey - we have NO squirrels :-)
Posted by: Janine at July 6, 2007 11:01 AMGee, and I thought it was just my imagination that this morning, the squirrels are all sporting fair-isles. They work fast.
Posted by: julia fc at July 6, 2007 11:04 AMDamn that's funny - I just choked on an almond. It was nice of them to write a thank-you note though.
Posted by: no-blog-rachel at July 6, 2007 11:04 AMEeee that's funny - Sarnia sounds like Narnia, and the squirrelis funny in its pullover. :D
Posted by: glittrgirl at July 6, 2007 11:06 AMLOL! Thanks for the smile today, Steph!
Posted by: Mel at July 6, 2007 11:07 AMOh my freakin goodness -that is FUNNY!
Posted by: April Smith at July 6, 2007 11:07 AMAbsolutely hysterical!!! What a great photo!! Great morning laugh!!! Ruth in NJ
Posted by: Ruth in NJ at July 6, 2007 11:10 AMJust. Hilarious. Thanks so much for the giggle!
Posted by: Alison at July 6, 2007 11:11 AMStephanie,
You owe me a new monitor and keyboard. I think I have permanent coffee stains on my screen now since I tend to wander over here to read while taking a midmorning coffee break. One would think I'd learn.
Wrong, wrong and more wrong. This not a happy thank you note but a declaration of war!
It has to be stopped before they infiltrate the yarn shops!
Posted by: Constantina at July 6, 2007 11:13 AMI love it! That photo is too disturbing for words.
Posted by: Suzanne at July 6, 2007 11:16 AMI fear for my stash...NYC squirrels are very violent!
Posted by: Alex at July 6, 2007 11:18 AMnever mind the carding, & the spinning.. they are even dyeing it!
I lost it, lol I love it, lol now I know why I bought a box of kleenex just for my computer desk, lol
Almost makes the flat tire I found this am able to deal with, lol
Posted by: Sue at July 6, 2007 11:19 AMI'd love to see additional shots. The shoulder shaping would seem to be particularly ingenious.
Posted by: Ruth at July 6, 2007 11:19 AMThat's way toooooooo funny :), thanks for the laugh!!!!!!!
Posted by: Jasmine at July 6, 2007 11:20 AMThat was brilliant! Snarfing diet coke is painful...just fyi.
Posted by: The Queen of the Snow Cows at July 6, 2007 11:23 AMThats awesome! I'm glad more squirrels can now be upscale stylin' squirrels.
Posted by: Niquie at July 6, 2007 11:28 AMMy future SIL is a squirrel collector. I immediately thought of her love for the animals along with your disgust of them. This "receipt" is truely a good laugh! Think they knit that up on US size 1 needles?? Have a great weekend despite those crazed little bastards that like to steal wool!
Posted by: Cole at July 6, 2007 11:29 AMHaha, that's cute
Posted by: Chelsey at July 6, 2007 11:32 AMMy brother & his family live in Sarnia. I need to look out for these knitting squirrels on my next visit! This photo made my day.
Posted by: Margaret at July 6, 2007 11:33 AMThey may be rat bastards, but they are polite rat bastards.
Posted by: Kat at July 6, 2007 11:34 AMOh my god, squirrels, grrrrr. Rats with fluffy tails.
Posted by: Patricia at July 6, 2007 11:39 AMThe worst part is I'm pretty sure that the squirrels haven't even knit themselves sweaters. They have crocheted them!
Take a look at the circular shoulders. Its crochet all right.
Posted by: Sarah at July 6, 2007 11:39 AMWell, at least it wasn't a total loss.
:)
Crafty rat bastards!
Posted by: rachel at July 6, 2007 11:42 AMSquirrel charity...who knew.
Posted by: Tracey at July 6, 2007 11:43 AMHey, no fair making me guffaw out loud in the workplace.
Posted by: Lucia at July 6, 2007 11:45 AMTOO FUNNY! OMG it looks like the sweater has ear flaps!
Posted by: Lynae at July 6, 2007 11:48 AMNow, that's SCARY! Fluffy tailed rats running around in little sweaters ... being embarrassed to death ... however, therein MAY lay an idea for getting rid of the ones taking your yarn ... catch them and dress them in pink! :-)
Posted by: Beth in MN at July 6, 2007 11:49 AMEcureuils sans frontieres --
nope, sorry, doesn't have the same ring.
Now rats-batards or even salauds -- that works for me.
(Sorry, I have a anglophile keyboard that doesn't do diacritical marks.)
At least you have proof now....
It is one thing to make somebody laugh unexpectedly and spit coffee or blow beverages out one's nose. But nachos? Cruel, very cruel.
Posted by: DancesInGarden at July 6, 2007 11:58 AMKeep an eye on your hand mixer... They may steal that next and fashion it into a spinning wheel! No one is safe!
Posted by: Melissa at July 6, 2007 12:02 PM::falls over laughing hysterically:: Thanks for sharing - Cathy's a comic genius!
I'm having visions of a giant tree, nicely hollowed out (but still living, of course), umpteen little floors with office cubicles; donations lines, meeting rooms, all sorts of department, staffed by squirrels busily chattering away... All concentrated on clothing those rat bastards in need. Oh. Goddess. (I wonder; do they forget where they stored donations? That buried nuts thing, y'know.) With somewhere a roll of unwitting knitters and spinners who've donated to the cause.
Oh man. T-shirts!::falls over again::
God, I wish I could make sense of LiveJournal's S2 coding and layers and complicated crap - then I could modify my blog template so I could use buttons. I want to make an SWB button (could do) and put it on my sidebar! (can't do; I'm using the wrong kinda template, darn it, and I'm not a coder.)
Posted by: MonicaPDX at July 6, 2007 12:04 PMah, so nice to see the kinfolk are taken care of. As for your squirrel thief, Please forgive cousin silas, he's a bit touched.
Posted by: erin at July 6, 2007 12:06 PMI feel sorry for the poor little sweat shop squirrels who have to spin and knit all the little sweaters so the posh city squirrels can look fashionable while drinking their lattes.
Save the overworked and underappreciated squirrels!
Posted by: Peggy at July 6, 2007 12:07 PMLMAO! All hail the powers of Photoshop!
Posted by: Carrie at July 6, 2007 12:10 PMWho knew that German engineers space-dyed sock yarn at the PRECISE interval necessary to perfectly stripe a squirrel torso?
Amazing.
Posted by: Karen at July 6, 2007 12:10 PMOh Cathy! You are so quick and so funny! OMG - to think the thieving rat bastards have organized charity knitting for themselves!!
Posted by: gina at July 6, 2007 12:10 PMCan it be true? Do they suffer the same yarn addiction I do? Can they smell the delightful lambie, caress the silky softness, smooth it up against a check, be awestruck with color design and pattern, not to mention fit? Is it possible? Or are they just aliens in disguise trying desperately to understand knitters? Maybe just fit in? Can someone in the universe answer my questions? Thanks Steph as if i didn't have enough news from the committee in my head. I think I'll just go knit MS3. My husband was right. You are a wonderful way to be lead astray.
Posted by: Cynthia B at July 6, 2007 12:11 PMOh, well, I know it was hard to let the wool go, but at least you know it's going to a good cause! :)
Have a good weekend!
Stephanie...you may not have noticed yet, but, then this IS you...you may have...the Mystery Stole is GREAT FOR STARTITIS! we have to start something new every week...it doesn't feel like working on the same project! We also have a deadline to finish each clue...before the next one comes out. Granted it's a self imposed deadline...no one cares if we make it, but it's a normal amount of work, doable in a week by a normal, sane human, unlike, say, Stephanie's usual deadlines that have an optimistic view of her productivity :-) (Do you hear my exaggerated understatement?)
Posted by: Colleen at July 6, 2007 12:16 PMBWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You know, I was thinking a cage would help you, Steph. Not to catch the rat bastard, but to protect your lovely fleece while it dries! ;-)
Posted by: Karen in Toledo at July 6, 2007 12:20 PMOh my shattered nerves!! Sqirrels's in sweaters is really TOO much. Laughing so hard I can hardly see the key board. Thanks Cathy for being so quick and witty and thanks Stephanie for posting it. A good laugh for the day is good medicine
Posted by: Joan H at July 6, 2007 12:22 PMI just moved into the Sarnia area from Toronto...how funny!!
Posted by: Roxanne at July 6, 2007 12:23 PMOh, how sweet. And here we all thought you really wanted to blast the little guy to smithereens!
Posted by: Angela at July 6, 2007 12:27 PMVery clever and just the sort of humor I need today. I will be cracking myself up today with the phrase " less fortunate city rat bastards".
Posted by: Kim at July 6, 2007 12:29 PMBad Squirrel! His cousins decided to make babies in my attic this past spring. We have no love for one another.
Posted by: Jenn at July 6, 2007 12:29 PMOh my goodness! This is entirely too funny! I can't stop laughing!
Posted by: Carol at July 6, 2007 12:31 PMNow that's just plain wrong!
Posted by: Carol at July 6, 2007 12:32 PMIf you start bringing squirrel sweaters to all of your book tours, you just might start attracting the wrong crowd to your signings. You know, those SCARY knitters. The old-maid, no-friends, nothing-better-to-do-on-a-Saturday-night ones. ;)
Posted by: Chelsea at July 6, 2007 12:34 PMCathy deserves a prize for her wit.
I will be giggling about this for the rest of the day.
Posted by: kathy at July 6, 2007 12:39 PMThat's hilarious! Now we need to see the pic of the squirrel spinning and knitting, because that was fast work. Coffee must have been involved.
Posted by: April at July 6, 2007 12:47 PMWe call 'em fat tail rats here in Brooklyn. Not as bad as water bugs, although at least water bugs don't eat your stash.
It is important in life to be fair and equitable but sweaters for fat tail rats may be going too far.
I love it! I've been watching squirrels outside my window and telling them to stay away from your backyard.
Posted by: Kristen at July 6, 2007 12:52 PMThat's cute. But I hate squirrels. They ate my tulips this year.
Posted by: Robyn at July 6, 2007 12:52 PMOh No! Too funny! Too funny
Posted by: Sherry at July 6, 2007 12:54 PMthat is so hilarious, I'm having a hard time not yelling to my co-workers "Come see this!"
Posted by: Jill B. at July 6, 2007 12:55 PMOh, that's hysterical!
Posted by: AlisonH at July 6, 2007 12:56 PMOMG ... that is just too funny! Funny enough to make this pregnant gal laugh so hard she's gotta pee ...
Posted by: Samantha at July 6, 2007 12:59 PMThis just proves that there really is no such thing as too frelling funny!!!
Posted by: Wannietta at July 6, 2007 1:00 PMAndy (19 mos.) just pointed to the picture & said "sateeoh! up a tee!" I love when he comments on blog fodder :)
Posted by: jen at July 6, 2007 1:02 PMMercy.
So ok, what you need to do is enlarge the photo a bit, print it off, back it with something, laminate the hell out of it and then use it while you're drying fleece out back, have it 'stand guard' with another little sign attached..."I've already donated" for your little neighborhood rat bastard dude to see.....think it'll work?
xox
snort. giggle. giggle.
Posted by: melissa h at July 6, 2007 1:08 PMLOL...I am in stitches down here.
Posted by: Kathy at July 6, 2007 1:11 PMha ha ha HA ha ha
Posted by: Vicky in Vancouver at July 6, 2007 1:12 PMLove squirrels, love that picture! What I want to know is, how did they get the sweater on that squirrel?! They're not exactly the most cooperative creatures....
Posted by: christa at July 6, 2007 1:14 PMSquirrels Without Borders - CA 530 local chapter reporting in. We surely do appreciate your donation to our less fortunate cousins up north. Our human keeps us supplied with nuts (which we throw at them). They think they have us pacified.
Yours Truly,
Spazz Q. Greytail, chapter president, Chico, CA
ok i just snorted my coffee.
Posted by: Vikkie at July 6, 2007 1:22 PMThe Lesson: squirrels, just like dogs and cats, love to wear handknit items (sure they do). Heehee.
Posted by: Beverly at July 6, 2007 1:27 PMYour fiber thief squirrel has cousins here in San Diego, California. I was hit last night!
They're out there...
Pic on my blog.
Posted by: CC at July 6, 2007 1:32 PMThat is too funny! I bet the little buggers over turned a semi loaded with Jolt (re: over the hedge). I wouldn't put it over them to have knitting Squirrel collectives!
Posted by: Shell at July 6, 2007 1:33 PMThat's weird. However he (she?)still looks like the rat bastard acrobat thief he/she is. Actually it sort of looks like a rat bastard imitating an armadillo...ah HA, a vain attempt at disguise to gain proximity to wool.
Posted by: cecelia at July 6, 2007 1:34 PMthat rocks! squirrels are so evil. one chewed threw our screen door b/c it could see a bowl of nuts on the table.
Posted by: heatherly at July 6, 2007 1:36 PMoh god, my ribs hurt!
Posted by: Shel at July 6, 2007 1:39 PMSeems to me that pic would be perfect for target practice of some sort. ::very big evil grin::
Slingshots with water balloons doused in cayenne pepper might work.
Or you could launch rotten cherries at the little buggers. Seems to me your tree will have an almost unlimited supply of that ammo in the very near future.
I cannot wait to see how the new 'Summer of the Scurrilous Squirrel' plays out.
Posted by: Tiny Tyrant at July 6, 2007 1:40 PMHey... squirrels have feelings too... and stashes as well!
I learned this the hard way last fall, when I looked out and saw our patio furniture cushions torn to shreads...by what?? by whom?? A few days later, we noticed big fluffy white masses in the trees, and comforted ourselves knowing there were wee tiny babies born into soft fluffy whiteness.
Posted by: Jo at July 6, 2007 1:42 PMThat squirrel closely resembles Black Bart, who was quite aggressive in asserting his right to my bird feeders. His younger brother, Chuckles the Clown, was more passive, but also more stupid.
By the way, Stephanie, this is surely a matter of the universe seeking balance. A few days ago a squirrel made you angry. Now a squirrel makes you laugh. Harmony and balance are restored.
Posted by: Nancy at July 6, 2007 1:43 PMi think we need to invent something that whenever we visit your site an automatic screen/keyboard protection "thingee" is activated.
;) i do fear tho that these furry little guys and gals will like the fumes and will be lined up with the rest of us at the wool festivals and the like with their just-harvested acorns chattering for that perfect fleece.
Oh, my gosh. This is just hilarious. And I'm glad to see that SOMEONE can make sense out of Photoshop (least intuitive program on the planet.)
I'm going to print this out and put a big CIRCLE Slash around it (in marker) and post it so that if our Mango Tree Thief ever comes a'calling, he won't be able to say we didn't warn him...
*snerk* Oh God. XD That's just priceless.
Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Sam at July 6, 2007 1:45 PMIt took every ounce of control in my body not to guffaw and snort and laugh extremely loudy at that picture (I'm at work, gotta be sly in my blog reading!).
Will Squirrels Without Borders soon be offering a pattern for this squirrel cozy as a thank-you to donors?
Posted by: Sarah at July 6, 2007 1:48 PMAnd I'm so embarrassed --when I first read that Sarnia was home of the Sarnia STING, I thought it was a typo and should have said Sarnia STRING --as in, a yarn shop.
Maybe I ought to stop sniffing wool fumes...
Posted by: Barb at July 6, 2007 1:48 PMToo perfect. Alteast your wool is being appreciated and going to the needy. :o)
Posted by: Stephanie at July 6, 2007 1:49 PMjust one more bit of proof that squirrels are nothing more than rats with good PR.
Posted by: Jo at July 6, 2007 1:49 PMthey steal your socks now its your yarn
write nasty little notes so we will
defect to thier side even offer money
and have the gall to send photos of
homeless rat bastards will this yarn
never end is this a web wide gang
to worry about will they chew my
computer lines are they in touch
with my local rat bastards are you sure about the friend
Alopecia is a problem with squirrels?
Just think, a rat-bastard version of Locks of Love.
Thanks to the coffee goddess that my cup was empty for this one.
Posted by: dez at July 6, 2007 2:03 PMI am so glad that I wan't drinking anything when I red this. Bahhhahahahah!!! This is too freaking funny. I guess you never found the other half hu?.
Posted by: Tonia at July 6, 2007 2:04 PMWill fingerless cabled mitts be the hot accessory this fall for the fashionable urban squirrel?
Is Toronto still having a heat wave like we are down here? I do understand the need to show off a newly completed sweater even in appropriate weather, though.
Posted by: KarenJoSeattle at July 6, 2007 2:04 PMLovely stripes! You can't say they don't have good taste!
Posted by: Carla at July 6, 2007 2:11 PMOh, to die for!! I laughed and laughed. But question? Are they participating in MS3? Do we need to leave lace weight outside?
Sorry, Valerie of NYC---roaches will too eat your stash; but they're not big enough to steal it!
Posted by: Jane S in Ohio at July 6, 2007 2:13 PMAhhhh! Thanks for the laugh this morning! That is just too funny! What a classy squirrel!
Posted by: Elinor at July 6, 2007 2:30 PMNice to see that they're putting the Gansey wool to good use.
Posted by: Lene at July 6, 2007 2:38 PMToo funny. I'm so glad you and Cathy shared that one. I'm holding a grudge against squirrels myself. They taunt the dogs when I'm out walking them. (Have you ever tried to hold a 55 lb dog or two while a squirrel goes "neener, neener, neener, you can't get me?") I'm pretty sure the squirrels would be even cheekier in spiffy striped sweaters.
Posted by: sherry at July 6, 2007 2:41 PMBrahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Boy did I need that today!
Posted by: Lori at July 6, 2007 2:53 PMI rode my bike through Sarnia about 25 yrs ago. No squirrels with sweaters but there is a raccoon in Michigan wearing a pair of rain chaps.
For as goofy as squirrels can look (upsidedown on the bird feeder, ya know), this one is quite natty!
Posted by: Gerrie at July 6, 2007 2:58 PMROFL -
Here in DC the vendors kind of adopt the Squirrels - and they come up to people looking for food (I have a picture I took in front of the Fed with a few Squirrels and two ducks all vying for position to get hand-outs from a vendor). Now they're going to start pestering us for sweaters!!
Claire
Knitters and Crocheters Care
knitters-and-crocheters-care.blogspot.com
LOL, That's awesome.
Posted by: Kari at July 6, 2007 3:11 PMThat is just too funny! I do think that he needs a wee tiny little hat with a pom pom on top. Say, blue to match the strip in his sweater?
Posted by: Vickie at July 6, 2007 3:16 PMHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa - I can hardlye breathe after reading that~~!!!!
Posted by: Donna at July 6, 2007 3:22 PMNice Photoshop work there.
Posted by: Mariah Sanders at July 6, 2007 3:49 PMThat is funny beyond words!
Just imagine the good Karma, Stephanie! Outfitting squirrels is above and beyond!
Posted by: julie at July 6, 2007 3:53 PMLess fortunate rat bastards!I love it!Thanks for sharing.I needed a good laugh.
Posted by: La Verna at July 6, 2007 4:05 PMSee, I told you they just wanted sweaters! Now, if you'll knit them some sweaters, think how grateful they'll be, and I'm sure Squirrels Without Borders has some patterns...
Posted by: Riin at July 6, 2007 4:06 PMdude. that's seriously funny. funny like the time when we were at sirius radio in nyc and i kept saying things like 'god. security is so serious around here.' and 'seriously...they're seriously late.' nice.
Oh My. I have to say, I do not feel quite as kindly toward the Rat Bastards as Cathy.
Posted by: Heather at July 6, 2007 4:09 PM....enjoying all your comments. My husband deserves the credit for the witty photography and editing in ACD Canvas. I just did the knitting.
Posted by: Cathy in Sarnia at July 6, 2007 4:11 PMOh, lord, what's next? Sweaters on Wheels? Delivering sweaters to shut-in squirrels who can't get out to steal their own?
And Cathy? You and hubby are BOTH way clever.
Posted by: inky at July 6, 2007 4:35 PMDid the rat bastard swatch?
Posted by: Sheila at July 6, 2007 5:10 PMThat's hilarious. Made my day.
Posted by: DebbieT at July 6, 2007 5:42 PMWhew!
I sure was happy to read Cathy's post at the bottom. For just a moment, I wondered if maybe - somehow - the squirrel had been assisted into a wee sweater knitted for the occasion...
Clearly, I've been reading COBOL code too long today to consider anything other than photoshopping!
Thanks for the great laugh!
Posted by: cynthia at July 6, 2007 5:52 PMokay, even the dearly beloved looked over my shoulder and laughed at that!
Posted by: Alison at July 6, 2007 6:10 PMSo was it Cathy or her husband who provided the wee gusset just about the squirrel-ham? Masterful, either way.
Posted by: rams at July 6, 2007 6:44 PMWhat's the current view on DPN v. 2 circular v. magic loop in the rodent kingdom? Throw v. pick? Can a squirrel do pencil hold?
Haaaa! That's hysterical!!
Posted by: Mandy at July 6, 2007 7:06 PMWell done, Cathy and Cathy's Husband!
Thanks for sharing, Stephanie. That made my evening. :-)
Posted by: Vis Major at July 6, 2007 7:10 PMROTFL!!! That is too funny. At least they are putting the wool to good use, right?
Posted by: Erin at July 6, 2007 7:10 PMI want to know how the tree bastards knit... no thumbs, ya know...
I think it's aliens. Or communists. Planning to revolt and take over by throwing acorns at us. No, seriously, it could so be true - tree bastards can get up a heck lot of momentum by rolling acorns down the roof. And then they hook it through the drain gutters, and that's when you're walking around a la Harry Potter for the rest of time.
"All right there, scar head?"
Posted by: Dagny at July 6, 2007 7:43 PM*snort*
Posted by: Kelle at July 6, 2007 8:06 PMOh, that is priceless!
Posted by: Gigi at July 6, 2007 8:11 PMStrange, I don't remember that blue in the fleece they stole from you. I'm not surprised that they spin, but dying is rather odd behavior for a rodent.
Off topic: Are you aware that there's another Stephanie Pearl not so very far from you? This month's Sunset Magazine pictures Stephanie Pearl Kimmel, chef/owner of a restaurant in Eugene, Oregon.
Posted by: Maureen at July 6, 2007 8:18 PMYou should hang out at my house.I have "captured" 17 of the nasty little beasts and given them refuge at the park...far away! Nasty little things. Bad beasts!!
Posted by: Rusty M. at July 6, 2007 9:01 PMThank you for a much needed laugh today.:D
Posted by: Sonia at July 6, 2007 9:14 PMLOLOL
Posted by: Katherine at July 6, 2007 9:50 PMOh, that was funny. I'm so glad I read it at home, without my tea cup in front of me. And had time to read all the awesome comments! Way to go Cathy! and Hubbie!
PS. I have no love of squirrels either, ever since they ate 12 strands of Christmas lights! Scrooges!
Posted by: KnittingMole at July 6, 2007 10:46 PMHahahaha!! Love to see what wool the well dressed squirrel is wearing.
Oh by the way, thanks to you I have fallen down that MS3 rabbit hole. I've never done lace before but I couldn't resist!!!!!!!!!!!
That looks less like a sweater and more like armour every time I look at it. What exactly are these Sarnia squirrels planning?
Posted by: Lynneski at July 7, 2007 12:10 AMThat's funny! Has someone been playing with Photoshop?
One of the things I learned by moving to Colorado is that there are no black squirrels here. They're all brown. I wonder if I could sneak a mating pair back with me in August? :-)
Posted by: Joanne, The Canuck in Colorado at July 7, 2007 12:11 AMMs. Cathy is a very very talented woman. Damned squirrels.
Posted by: Convivialiddell at July 7, 2007 12:18 AMNow that's one stylin' squirrel.
Posted by: Kathy at July 7, 2007 12:33 AMWhere can I get the squirrel sweater pattern? Is it available in half sizes?
Posted by: Martha McNulty at July 7, 2007 12:53 AMIt just occured to me, but this is what we use to keep the cats off of the sofa. I bet it would keep the Rat Bastard from stealing your fleece. Perhaps.
http://www.solutions.com/jump.jsp?itemID=340&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C4%2C490%2C10016&iProductID=340
Posted by: Jeni at July 7, 2007 1:53 AMWow, that is one nicely dressed rat bastard.
Totally hilarious!
I'm sooooo glad that I washed your Unalaska fleece here. Our Alaskan squirrels don't seem to be as troublesome as your Canadian ones, thank goodness. Sweaters for Squirrels; what's next? Hats for Hamsters? Gloves for Gerbils? Cathy - very clever! And great graphics job by Cathy's husband!
Posted by: Linda in Anchorage at July 7, 2007 2:55 AMOH, I CAN SEE IT NOW..... Joe will be sure to be raising more than just a few eyebrows in public when he wears his handsome, handmade Gansey wool sweater out and about...particularly when,for added emphasis,he mentions that the squirrel next door also wears a sweater made of the very same wool as his._____Now there's a conversation starter if ever he needs one !!!! Hee!-Hee!-HEE!!
Posted by: Shirley in Buffalo/Niagara Falls, NY at July 7, 2007 3:18 AMWith the weather we've been having in California, we'd be arrested for animal cruelty if we tried to put sweaters on the squirrels just now.
Posted by: Sarah-Hope at July 7, 2007 4:08 AMOMG... Does that squirrel not recognize that those colors are out of style in the summer? And wool... and I understand that those Rat Bastards never appreciate fine work... give them all acryllic instead...
Posted by: Amy Lane at July 7, 2007 4:21 AMAwwww, that's awesome! And here I was, worried about how they spend the winters in Canada. I especially like the little humped up shoulders. Plenty of room for stretch as they leap for the next branch.
Posted by: carrie at July 7, 2007 9:39 AMLove the bastard rat!
But I need to pick a bone with you on your last post. Cruel hearted Harlot!!!! How can you show us the ms3 and give us the link!??!! Of course yours is lovely...I thought, I have so many projects I am loving right now...I will just take a quick peek and go back to my lace wimple...yea right....There was not much time left to sign up...and I was shaking with anticipation...and got in...now I am re-arranging my day to include (oh darn) a trip to my LYS which just happens to share a space with a freakin' bead shop! Seriously, it sounds like a hoot...hmmmm, a beautiful forest green lace weight Shetland wool? Or a rich deep garnet? I am in for it now! Thank heavens the sock class I was suppose to teach today was canceled because of the heat! (live in AZ) I am thinking the green...hmm just rememembered..it is on sale!!! Whoooohoooo!
Posted by: Syd T. at July 7, 2007 11:00 AM"Rat Bastards" Absolutely brilliant! Cathy deserves much kudos for being clever and funny. This was just too funny!
I hope it didn't increase your pain over the fleece-stealing Rat Bastard.
BTW, have you been getting the emails from MS3? We're all blaming YOU, O Powerful Minion of the Knitting Goddess.
Posted by: Marjorie Barks at July 7, 2007 11:54 AMMy first thought on seeing this was "Squirrel cozies. Who the H*** has time to knit squirrel cozies! And how do you get the squirrel to try them on for size?"
I'm so relieved that you're doing MS3, I feel much less like a weak wobbly willed wool addict now.
The squirrels in Texas are more interested in shedding their fur coats because it's about 90 degrees. I'm asking them to send any stray wool to you. (And I may send their coats somewhere after we get the chimney flue fixed-- because the squirrels have been EATING it.) Rat bastards indeed.
Posted by: PainterWoman at July 7, 2007 4:04 PMI am impressed at the knitting level of the squirrel. Can you tell if there are any short row darts? It is not clear who or what knitted the garment but I am still impressed. I would guess that it may be difficult for squirrels to get into yarn shops so 'borrowing' your fiber and then spinning and dyeing the wool before knitting it is quite an accomplishment.
Does Squirrels Without Borders have any affiliation with the human equivalent? I am assuming the Rat Bastard in your neighborhood is one of the more affluent members. tee hee this is fun. Namaste,
ROFLMAO!
Posted by: Jen D. at July 7, 2007 6:05 PMI hope my mother never sees this, she'll go crazy wondering where she can get the pattern or where she can send off to donate to the poor poor squirrels that are so in need.
I think she's a little squirrelly....hee hee
Another winner. It's always worth it to check in on your website. Now I know how to knit a sweater for a squirrel!
Posted by: CarolynD at July 7, 2007 7:34 PMROFLMBOOOOOO!!! OH how I needed this today! That rocks!
Posted by: Steph Bolinger at July 7, 2007 7:59 PMI just love the squirrel in his/her (?) cute jumper!! Yesterday I went to our local wool shop's knitting group. It's so much fun it should be illegal! Not only do we knit socks, jumpers, baby clothes, bags to felt etc. etc. BUT we eat delicious treats!!! We are also in the process of passing "The Yarn Harlot" around - it's so good to be able to have a good laugh and share the fun with friends. Love your blog Steph!
Posted by: Barbie Clarke at July 7, 2007 9:38 PMI wondered what those rascals were doing with your wool. Bet you feel a whole lot better about 'sharing' now! ;) Too funny!
Posted by: Amy at July 7, 2007 9:42 PMBloody brilliant!
Posted by: Miss Scarlett at July 7, 2007 11:27 PMAh, ah, ho, okay, catching my breath. Wiping my eyes. Haven't laughed so hard in ages. Of course, I was already a little punchy from the laceweight and beads.
Does Cathy have a blog?
Posted by: Linda V. at July 8, 2007 12:05 AMI think those Rat Bastards in my city (Calgary) could use some sweaters too!
Posted by: melanie at July 8, 2007 12:40 PMDude, my husband just looked at me like I was insane. He came and read the screen and still doesn't have any idea why I'm giggling like a moron. Thanks Steph, I needed that!
Posted by: Alli at July 8, 2007 1:35 PMI've been coming back to this picture in disbelief for two days. What finally struck me is that either someone is very very good with photoshop, or they actually risked a squirrel attack and possibly a case of rabies (and the painful treatment) to wrestle that squirrel into that sweater.
Posted by: MezzoDiva at July 8, 2007 2:03 PMAlready there is another squirrel in a sweater. This must be stopped.
http://mfrost.typepad.com/cute_overload/2006/06/stop_the_insani.html
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!
Holy Moley!
I think there are some sort of squirrel borders. Here in Lafayette, all the squirrels are gray. In Indianapolis, 60 miles away, they're brown. Is there a squirrely Mason-Dixon line someplace?
In Washington, D.C., however, they have both gray and brown squirrels, and even a handful of black ones. They're clearly a reflection of the cosmopolitan city, right?
Yes, I look up the local squirrels when I travel. But I've never lost any wool to them, so far.
Posted by: Laura at July 8, 2007 5:22 PMthis is so funny! aren't knitters a joy? :)
Posted by: christine m. east of toronto at July 8, 2007 6:33 PMDoes anyone else wonder how they got the sweater on the rodent, er, I mean squirrel, for the picture?
Posted by: Ladona at July 8, 2007 8:51 PMLadona - Photoshop is a wonderful thing!
Posted by: Denise~ at July 8, 2007 9:14 PMAs the guy that dressed the squirrel, I just have to jump in here. No, the squirrel was not coerced into wearing wool in 35C temps and I don't use Photoshop. This was all done in a program called CANVAS. I'm glad that everyone had some fun with this.
Cathy (the squirrel sweater knitter) and I have had a great time reading all of your comments.
Knit on!
Posted by: Jim at July 8, 2007 11:28 PMdoes that thing have pockets? because now, he's got a place to stash more wool. oh, that can't be good...
but it is hysterical.
Posted by: avalynda at July 9, 2007 4:45 AMi think this blog and its residents should have
an award we are so funny and bright
love to be helpful and kind but mainly
just better then leno and letterman
put together you all are my good ship lollipop
this is an old show tune if you ever need a friend here iam if you are up a tree call on me
if you're in jail i'm your bail its friendship
friend ship just a perfect blendship liz
Steph, I haven't been able to get on your blog in WEEKS. Hopefully today is the last of that. I am very sorry about the squirrel.
Posted by: ayla at July 9, 2007 1:34 PM...tiny, tiny needles made out of nutshells...
Posted by: Sara at July 9, 2007 11:54 PMCool site. Thanks!