The Ivy Cube is one of QiYi’s best-known shape puzzles, part of its MoFangGe line. It is based on the mechanism of a skewb, but replaces the flat faces with curved pieces that resemble ivy leaves, which is where the name Ivy comes from. The brand developed it in collaboration with the designer Eitan, and it was the first model in its series of “leaf cubes”.

• BrandQiYi
• TypeShape mod (skewb variant)
• MagnetsNo
• FinishStickerless

How it works

As on a skewb, the turning axes run through the cube from corner to corner, so each move rotates a corner and carries part of the neighbouring faces with it. The difference lies in the cuts: because they are curved and far fewer, the Ivy Cube has few pieces and few possible states. That is why it is usually solved fairly intuitively, without needing to memorise long sequences.

Design

It is stickerless (no stickers: the colour is in the plastic itself), so there are no stickers to peel off or wear out with use. It has no magnets, so the layers do not settle back into place on their own at the end of a turn; on a puzzle this easy to move, that help is hardly missed.

What level it suits

It is considered a good gateway to shape puzzles: it can be solved by someone who has never gone beyond the 3x3, and even by someone who has not yet mastered the classic cube. It is also a common sight in shape mod collections thanks to its recognisable look.