Since moving out to the boonies, we have basically become an unofficial cat rescue.
Not only do we care for a colony outside, but have brought a number of cats indoors. Usually, it is due to illness or injury, or we grabbed females before they reached their first heat, so we could get them spayed when we had the funds. Once they come in, they don't go out again!
One kitten was brought in with eyes leaking so badly, they were stuck together and he couldn't see anymore. It took several weeks of careful eye washing before he healed. He became known as F*d Up Dave, but now he's just David. He was the first long haired cat to show up among the yard cats. We still don't know where that long haired gene came from, but since then, more and more have been showing up!
Unfortunately, he absolutely hates to be brushed. That glorious long fur gets seriously matted. We would sometimes manage to have one person hold him down while another used scissors to carefully cut the mats out, which would always take several sessions.
Still easier than trying to brush him!
We now have a grooming kit and last summer, we were able to shave the mats off. It was a very bad hair cut, and he did not like the process at all, but it was substantially easier than trying to use scissors!
Well, he's all matted up again. We figured we could wait until it starts getting hot before buzzing him again, but it's getting pretty bad. Unfortunately, while it may be near the end of March right now, winter still has us in its grip. It would be too cold to just shave him and leave him as is.
So I made him a sweater.
It looks small and blue in the picture. My phone camera does not like to pick up the emerald green! The back portion of the sweater is larger than the stomach portion that is in view.
I made it following this video.
The yarn I used is Bernat Softee Chunky, Super Bulky, in Emerald. Only one ball was needed (108 yds/99m). The hook size I used was an 8mm. With those, using the same number of stitches as in the video (though I did make the collar one stitch wider), I got a sweater for an average adult sized cat.
Which David will be, once he's been shaved.
I expect it will take several attempts over several days to get the mats shaved off. After that, we'll have to get the sweater on him, so he doesn't get too cold!
He is NOT going to be happy about this. 🤣😂
