Plants vs. Zombies inspired Cherry Bomb

My kids are huge Plants vs. Zombies fans (Plants vs. Zombies is a registered trademark of PopCap Games).  They loved the computer game so much we had to get it for the Xbox and my son's Nintendo 3DS.  When they are not playing the game, they are acting it out.  One kid will pretend to be a plant and the other will be a zombie and then they have at it.  They read Plants vs. Zombies books and collect PvZ stickers.  Santa brought them PvZ figurines to play with because that's all they wanted for Christmas.  They are totally obsessed with the game.  I have searched high and low for PvZ Crochet Patterns and have come across a few really nice ones, but I have yet to find a pattern for the Cherry Bomb which is my youngest son's favourite plant in the game, so I thought I'd have a go at it and try and write up a pattern for him; this is what I came up with.
I hope the pattern makes sense.  Please let me know if there are any mistakes and I'll address them right away.

Cherry Bomb inspired by Plants vs. Zombies

©Nyela’s Nook 2014

Materials needed

Worsted weight (4) yarn in Red, Brown and Green H/8-5.00mm hook G/7-4.25mm hook polyester stuffing Black, white and green felt (for eyes and teeth) Black yarn (for mouth) tapestry needle chain marker Fabric glue

No gauge required

Abbreviations

Rnd = round

Ch = chain

sc = single crochet

hdc = half double crochet

dc = double crochet

tr = triple crochet

st = stitch

sts = stitches

sl st(s) = slip stitch(s)

dec = decrease

F/O = fasten off

The Cherries

 

Make 2

Using your H/8-5.00mm hook and work in rounds. Place a stitch marker in last st of every rnd and move the marker up at the end of each rnd.

*Note* I crocheted one cherry with normal tension and the other cherry with tighter tension making one cherry ever so slightly smaller than the other.

Rnd 1 – Ch 2, 6 sc in second ch from hook (6)

Working in back loops only (not necessary but I liked the effect it had on these bombs)

Rnd 2 - 2 sc in each sc (12) Place stitch marker here and move up at the end of each rnd.

Rnd 3 - *2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st* repeat from * to * (18)

Rnd 4 - *2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next 2 sts* repeat from * to * (24)

Rnd 5 - *2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next 3 sts* repeat from * to * (30)

Rnd 6 to 10 - 1 sc in each sc (30)

Rnd 11 - *1 sc dec with next 2 sts, 1 sc in next 3 sts* repeat from * to * (24)

Rnd 12 - *1 sc dec with next 2 sts, 1 sc in next 2 sts* repeat from * to * (18)

Using the black white and green felt, cut out and glue on the eyes.  Sew on the mouth with black yarn and cut out 2 small square teeth with white felt and glue into place. Stuff the ball using polyester stuffing.

Rnd 13 - *1 sc dec with next 2 sts, 1 sc in next st* repeat from * to * (12)

Rnd 14 - *1 sc dec with next 2 sts* repeat from * to * (6)

Rnd 15 - 1 sc dec with next st, 1 sc dec with 4th st.  F/O leaving a long tail and secure.

With a tapestry needle, pull excess yarn through to the bottom. Insert the needle in the next gap and pull back up to the top pulling taught, repeat this step once more. You should end up with a little indent to place the stem. Hide excess tail inside the Cherry.

The Stems

Crochet with the G/7-4.25mm hook and brown yarn

First stem, for larger cherry

Ch 17, 1 sl st in second ch from hook and continue slip stitching across (16)

 F/O and leave a long tail for attaching to cherries. Attach this stem to the larger, looser crocheted cherry.

Second stem, for smaller cherry

Ch 21, 1 sl st in second ch from hook and continue sl sts across (20)

F/O leaving a long tail for attaching. Attach this stem to the smaller, tighter cherry

Attach the 2 stems together by slip stitching through both stems at the very top twice.  F/O and weave in ends.

The Leaves

Make 3

Crochet with the G/7-4.25mm hook and green yarn

Ch 10, 1 sl st in second ch from hook, 1 sl st in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, 1 tr in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 3 sc in next ch.  Do not turn, instead work on bottom loops of the chain and 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, 1 tr in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, 1 sl st in next ch, 1 sl st in next ch and 1 sl st into first sl st.  F/O leaving a tail long enough to fasten the stem. 

Attach by sewing all 3 leaves to the top of the stem (where they are connected) and weave the extra tails into the leaves.

 

Please note that I am not the most skilled at drawing and cutting out shapes.  My eyes and teeth are a little off!