FireFlower is by request. I had tons of email requests for this one. I understand that in the newer games the FireFlower isn't in a box, but I needed to put it in one so that it would stand up. So I sort of combined several different evolutions of FireFlower for this plushie :) The cube/box is done in rounds, like a ball which makes it a little different from most 'boxes'. It's done using the same technique as the cube in the Chain Chomp pattern, and is easy enough even for novice crocheters. As always if you have any problems with the pattern or just have a question please feel free to either leave it in a comment or email me :). FIREFLOWER MATERIALS: WW yarn in medium brown, white, yellow, orange, green G hook Fiberfill Small amount of dark brown felt (or dark brown yarn) Yarn Needle Sewing thread to match colors of yarn and sewing needle NOTES: Gauge isn't that important, as long as your hook and yarn choices result in a fairly tight stitch so that the stuffing wont show through. Numbers in ( ) at the end of each round or row indicate the total number of stitches that should be in each round or row. BOX/CUBE: Box is worked in one piece. It's a little different than working a ball in rounds, the increases and decreases are different, but similar enough that it should be easy even for beginners with a little patience. I recommend joining your rounds, but if you are comfortable enough using continuous rounds, it's worth a try. [Dec3 instructions: Instead of making a normal dec stitch, this is a decrease over 3 sc. In front loops only: insert yarn thru front loop of first sc, y/o pull through, insert through FL of second sc y/o pull through, insert through FL of third sc y/o pull thru, y/o pull through all loops on hook.] Using med brown yarn: Rnd 1: 4 sc in magic ring. join with sl st to first sc do not turn, continue as if for a ball (4) Rnd 2: ch 1 3 sc in same stitch as join, and in each sc around, join with sl st to first sc of round (12) Rnd 3: ch 1, sc in same stitch as join. *3 sc next sc. sc in next 2 sc* repeat from * to * around to last corner, end with 3 sc in corner sc and sc in last sc. Join with sl st to first sc of round. (21) Rnd 4: ch 1, sc same st as join, sc in next sc. *3 sc next sc, sc in next 4 sc* repeat from * to * around to last corner, end with 3 sc in corner sc and sc in each of last 2 sc. Join with sl st to first sc of round. (28) Rnd 5: ch 1, sc same st as join, sc in next 2 sc. *3 sc next sc, sc in next 6 sc* repeat from * to * to last corner, end with 3 sc in corner sc and sc in each of last 3 sc. Join with sl st to first sc of round ( 36) Rnd 6: ch 1, sc same st as join, sc in next 3 sc. *3 sc next sc, sc in next 8 sc* repeat from * to * to last corner, end with 3 sc in corner sc and sc in each of last 4 sc. Join with sl st to first sc of round (44) Rnd 7: ch 1, sc same st as join, sc in next 4 sc. *3 sc next sc, sc in next 10 sc* repeat from * to * to last corner, end with 3 sc in corner sc and sc in each of last 5 sc. Join with sl st to first sc of round (52) Rnd 8: (working in back loops only for this round) sc in each sc around, join with sl st. (52) Rnd 9-21: (working in both loops now) sc in each sc around joining each round with sl st to first sc of round (52) Rnd 22: (working in back loops only for this round) ch 1 sc same st as join, sc in next 5 sc. *Dec3 over next 3 sc, sc in next 10 sc* repeat from * to * to last corner, end with dec3 and sc in last 5 sc. Join with sl st to first sc of round (44) Rnd 23: (working in both loops again) ch 1 sc same st as join, sc in next 4 sc. *Dec3 over next 3 sc, sc in next 8 sc* repeat from * to * to last corner, end with dec3 and sc in last 4 sc. Join with sl st to first sc of round (36) Rnd 24: ch 1 sc same st as join, sc in next 3 sc. * Dec3 over next 3 sc, sc in next 6 sc* repeat from * to * to last corner, end with dec3 and sc in last 3 sc. Join with sl st to first sc of round (28) You probably will need to begin stuffing cube at this point (if you haven't already), and continue as you progress. Take care to stuff so that the shape of a cube is retained with minimum bulging of the sides (some bulging is natural) See the picture for references. Rnd 25: ch 1 sc same st as join, sc in next sc 2 sc. *Dec3 over next 3 sc, sc in next 4 sc* repeat from * to * to last corner, end with dec3 and sc in last 2 sc. Join with sl st to first sc of round (21) Rnd 26: ch 1 sc same st as join, sc in next sc. *Dec3 over next 3 sc, sc in next 2 sc* repeat from * to * to last corner, end with dec3 and sc in last sc, Join with sl st to first sc of round (12) Rnd 27: c1 Dec3 over next 3 sc around join with sl st to first sc of round (4). F/O leaving tail for finishing off. Using the blunt end of crochet hook, chopstick or eraser end of pencil, add any stuffing necessary to finish out cube shape. With yarn needle, weave the tail through the last 4 stitches of final round and pull to tighten. Tie off. If you like, you can add some weighted material to the cube to make in heavier. FireFlower makes a cute paperweight. FLOWER (make 2): Beginning with white: Rnd 1: 8 sc in Magic Ring (8) Rnd 2: sc in next sc, 2 sc in each of the next 3 sc, sc in next sc, 2 sc in each of next 3. Change to yellow yarn in last sc, F/O white yarn) (14) Rnd 3: sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in each of next 3 sc, sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in each of next 3 sc, sc in last 2 sc. (20) Rnd 4: sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in each of next 3 sc, sc in next 7 sc, 2 sc in each of next 3 sc, sc in last 4 sc. Change to orange yarn in last stitch. F/O yellow yarn. (26) Rnd 5: sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in each of next 3 sc, sc in next 10 sc, 2 sc in each of next 3 sc, sc in last 6 sc. (32) Rnd 6: sc in each sc around (32) F/O. Place the two flower sides together (right side facing out) and sew together using whip stitch. Add small amount of stuffing evenly across the flower before closing. Using sewing thread (doubled) and needle, sew around the inside of each flower were the colors change going through both sides of flower (once around where white meets yellow, and once around where yellow meets orange) This will help to shape flower and keep stuffing from gathering in one corner later on. Add two eyes by using some black yarn and making a couple of whipstitches in the center of the white part of one side (see photo) STEM: Using green: Rnd 1: 8 sc in Magic Ring. (8) Rnd 2-16: sc in each sc around (8) Rnd 17: 2 sc in each sc around (16) Rnd 18: sc in each sc around (16) F/O and stuff stem firmly. It will help if you have a chopstick or use the eraser end of a pencil to move the stuffing down and help shape the stem. Sew the wide end of the stem to the back of the flower (see photos) LEAVES: Rnd 1: 4 sc in Magic Ring (4) Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (8) Rnd 3: sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc (10) Rnd 4: sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc (12) Rnd 5: sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc (14) Rnd 6-9: sc in each sc around (14) Rnd 10: sc in next 5 sc, dec over next 2 sc, sc in next 5 sc, dec over last 2 sc (12) Rnd 11: sc in next 4 sc, dec over next 2 sc, sc in next 4 sc, dec over last 2 sc (10) Rnd 12: sc in next 3 sc, dec over next 2 sc, sc in next 3 sc, dec over last 2 sc (8) F/O. Flatten leaves and sew wider end to stem as shown in photos. Sew flower to center of top of cube/box. This might require some extra stitches to help it stand up. If you stuffed the stem very firmly, it should be able to stand fairly well on it's own. Cut 16 small circles from brown felt. Sew or glue to each corner of the sides of the cube/box as shown. If you prefer, you can use an F hook and dark brown yarn and make 5 sc in a magic ring, join and f/o, sew to the corners. FireFlower and Mario Brothers are copyright Nintendo. This pattern is an original pattern by Linda Potts (August 2009). Please do not claim this pattern as your own. If you wish to share this pattern, you may link to this pattern but please do not reprint it on your site or publish on any cd or collection. You may keep a copy for your own personal use but you may not sell or distribute it, or sell items made from this pattern. Photos are also property of and copyright Linda Potts.