2 exploding sticks

Practical projects to try at home

Ingredients (Makes 12) 200 g plain chocolate50 g unsalted butter225 g light or Genoa-style fruitcake, crumbled2 tsp mixed spice12 plastic lolly sticks50 g white chocolate chips25 g green coloured read

Finely grate 1/4 tsp zest from one of 3 oranges, then peel them. Roughly chop the flesh and put in a bowl (or food processor) with the orange zest and 2 ripe pears, peeled and cored. Blitz until as sm

■ Yarnsmiths Cotton DK (100% cotton, 50g/106m) 1 ball of each: Black (3000) Just Purple (3324) White (3040) Carrot (3126) ■ A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook ■ A stitch marker ■ Toy stuffing ■ 24 safety eyes

Make a set of handy key fobs in zingy colours

MATERIALS ■ 50cm (19¾”) wide peg loom (www.daleslooms. etsy.com) ■ Debbie Bliss Roma, 70% wool, 30% alpaca, 80m/87yd per 100g, two balls in Cream (53001) (Yarn A) ■ Lion Brand Hometown USA, 100% acryl