The Beginning

Over the years, like so many, I have learnt to scrimp and save.  I’m not here to lecture or to tell others what to do, just to share and have fun.

A lot of what I do includes recycling and composting.  Personally, I cannot see any point in paying out good money when it is possible to make the same practical item for a lot less.

KNITTING

Recently, I attended a knitting workshop held by a lovely lady by the name of Tanya Marie.  I did learn the basics of knitting when I was young, but getting a  little older, I have premature senior moments  and was grateful to attend the beginners workshop.  We were taught how to casting on/off, different knitting stitches and how to make items from the basic knitting as presents.  This can all be done by using remnants of wool.  (Worth a visit to the local charity shops).

Although Christmas is over 6 months away, it is a good idea to start early and to think ahead. I also think that a present from the heart is more valuable than a present from the pocket.

I thought it would be a good idea to make some pretend food for a children tea party as one of the presents and thought I would start with Fondant Fancies.

FONDANT FANCIES

Using a pair of 4mm knitting needles and Double Knit wool I cast on 12 stitches and garter stitched 37 rows, then cast off.  It took only 20 minutes to knit.

The cast on/cast off edges were sewn together.  The stitches from outer edge of the tube were picked up using a needle and wool, holding the tail end to make sure it doesn’t run through.  It looks like a basic running stitch.  When the two ends meet they were pulled together to gather the knitting and were tied off.

The tube was then turned inside out so that the seams are inside the fondant fancy.

Two cardboard circles measuring 3.5mm were cut out from a cereal packet.  One of the cardboard circle was placed at the bottom of the fancy (where the knitting has been gathered together).  It formed the structure.

Wadding was gently and evenly stuffed in the tube.  The second cardboard disc was placed on top of the wadding..

As previously, using a wool needle and wool, stitches were picked up from the edge of the tube. The wool was pulled gently to gather the knitting up and then tied off.

The cream on top was made up by casting on 8 stitches of White Double Knit wool and 4mm knitting needles,   The wool was cut leaving a long end and threaded through the stitches.  It was pulled up and gathered tightly and fastened off.  The wool end was cut off.

Using multi purpose glue a small amount was put on cream topping and placed on the fondant fancy and allowed to dry.

All in all, it only took me 30 minutes to make a fondant and I was watching television at the   same time.