Free Crochet Pattern: Potted Baby Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy

GrootDancing(You have to watch this .gif while listening to Awesome Mix Vol.1) I saw Guardians of the Galaxy last weekend because Manda and our friend Ehren both wanted to see it.  A lot of my friends have been over the moon about it, but I’m really not a comic book person, and the trailer wasn’t really catching my attention. I said I would see it if someone bought my ticket :P.

My takeaway from the movie was that WE ALL NEED A BABY Groot, so here is your free crochet GROOTORIAL! If you haven’t seen the movie, Groot is this tree-like alien who is really big and strong and can grow stuff off his body and is basically like the Giving Tree on steroids.

GrootDance8smI don’t want to spoil why there is a baby Groot and why people are going crazy about him if you haven’t seen the movie yet, so go see it and then it will all make sense!

I put pipe cleaners in his arms so that he could “dance.” I tried wiring his body, too, but was running into complications with figuring out how to put stuffing in him AND a wire….plus the pipe cleaner wasn’t really strong enough to support his head and body and pipe cleaner was all I had in the house… so I need to play with that more at some point! Anyway, now you all can have your own baby Groot! And I am sure you guys will each put your own little spin on him!! I used online images of the Funko bobble head as my inspiration, cuz I think it’s super adorable!

Grootfinished7Grootfinished1csmGrootfinished5Grootfinished8smGrootfinished4smGrootfinished3sm

Also, here is a step by step video tutorial on YouTube to accompany the written pattern below.


P.S. Thank you for all your kind and excited inquiries about whether I will be selling finished baby Groots. I’m really so happy that you guys like him so much! I will not be doing so, since I currently do not have permission or a license from Marvel. I do plan to have a giveaway soon, though, so stay tuned! (And no, I will not be doing a giveaway directly to you only, which is something someone asked!)

Finished Size: Mine is approximately 7.5 inches tall.

What You’ll Need:

– H8/5.00mm and F5/3.5mm crochet hooks
– Worsted weight yarn in Brown (I used Rowan Summer Tweed in Chocolate Fudge, but it’s discontinued now. I believe Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice has a brown tweed, and Plymouth Encore Worsted definitely has a brown tweed, but any brown or tan/wood color will work!)
– Sport weight yarn in Green (I used Red Heart Designer Sport in Pistachio)
– Black embroidery thread or Black worsted weight yarn (I used Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice in Black) – If you’d rather not crochet tiny leaves, you can also use green felt to cut out leaves, and sew them on with green or brown thread.
– 2 9mm safey eyes (12mm looks cute, too!)
– small amount of Polyfil
– 1 12-inch pipe cleaner or some kind of wire for the arms
– scissors
– tapestry needle
– small plant pot
– a handful of small, smooth pebbles
– optional: fake moss, hot glue

Abbreviations in U.S. terms:

ch(s): chain(s)
sc: single crochet
sk: skip
sl st: slip stitch
dec: decrease – you can use invisible decrease (invdec) or sc2tog
( ): work everything inside the parenthesis into the next stitch
[ ]: work everything inside the bracket the number of times indicated

Notes:

I just busted out this pattern last night, and it has not been tested yet. If there are any booboos or weird spots, let me know! 🙂

Head Part A

Groot1sm

With Brown and H hook, make magic ring, or ch 3 and sl st to 1st ch to form ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, 6 sc into ring. (6) Don’t join rnds. Continue to work in a spiral.

Rnd 2: (2 sc) 6 times. (12)

Rnd 3: [(2 sc), 1 sc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 4: [(2 sc), 2 sc] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 5: [(2 sc), 7 sc] 3 times. (27)

Rnds 6 -11: Sc evenly. (27)

Sl st to next st to join.

You’ll now work on his broken-wood head accents.

Rnd 12: You’ll be crocheting triangular-ish and rectangular-ish shapes, and then slip stitching down one side of each shape to get your hook back to Rnd 11. We do this so we don’t have to break off and re join over and over again to continue our work. I broke each shape into different paragraphs so that they are easier to see and organize.

Ch 1, 3 sc evenly. Ch 1, turn. 3 sc evenly. Ch 1, turn. Sk 1 st, 2 sc evenly. Sl st down the side of the rows you just worked until you are about to work into Rnd 11 again.

4 sc evenly. Ch 1, turn. 4 sc evenly. Ch 1, turn. Sk 1 st,  1 sc, sk 1 st, 1 sc. Ch 1, turn. Sk 1 st, 1 sc. Ch 1, turn. Sl st down the side of the rows you just worked until you are about to work into Rnd 11 again.

4 sc evenly. Ch 1, turn. 4 sc evenly. Ch 1, turn. 3 sc, sk last st. Ch 1, turn. 3 sc. Ch 1, turn. Sk 1, 1 sc. Sl st down the side of the rows you just worked until you are about to work into Rnd 11 again.

3 sc evenly. Ch 1, turn. 3 sc evenly. Ch1, turn. 1 sc, sk 1, sl st. Sl st down the side of the rows you just worked until you are about to work into Rnd 11 again.

4 sc evenly. Ch 1, turn. 4 sc evenly. Ch 1, turn. Sk 1 st,  1sc, sk 1 st, 1 sc. Ch 1, turn. Sk 1 st, 1 sc. Ch 1, turn. Sl st down the side of the rows you just worked until you are about to work into Rnd 11 again.

3 sc evenly. Ch 1, turn. 3 sc evenly. Ch1, turn. sk 1, 2 sc.  Sl st down the side of the rows you just worked until you are about to work into Rnd 11 again.

3 sc evenly. Ch 1, turn. 1 sc , sk 1, 1 sc. Ch1, turn. Sk 1, 1 sc. Sl st down the side of the rows you just worked until you are about to work into Rnd 11 again.

3 sc evenly. Ch 1, turn. 3 sc evenly. Ch1, turn. 1 sc, sk 1, sl st. Sl st down the side of the rows you just worked until you are about to work into Rnd 11 again.

Sl st into Rnd 11 and break off. Weave in end.

Insert eyes. You get to decide which part of the head should be the face.

Now you’ll finish the top of the head. You’re just making a circle to cover the hole.

Head Part B

With Brown, repeat Rnds 1-4 of Head Part A.

Sl st to next st to join. Break off leaving 24 inches of yarn.

If you want a branch or two sticking out of his head, crochet these now and sew them to the top of Head Part B before you sew it to the top of Head Part A.

Branch

With Brown and H hook, ch 8, sk 1 ch, work 2 sl st evenly. Ch 4, sk 1 ch, work 3 sl st evenly, then continue to sl st evenly down original ch. Break off.

Short Branch

With Brown and H hook, ch 6, sk 1 ch, work 2 sl st evenly. Ch 3, sk 1 ch, work 2 sl st evenly, then continue to sl st evenly down original ch. Break off.

Lightly stuff Head Part A.

Since Head Part B is 24 sts around and open hole of Head Part A is technically 27 sts around, you can’t sew stitch for stitch, so just sew it on as best you can and make it look good. I found that using a 27 st circle was too big for the opening. You can use Rnd 11 of Head Part A as a guide for sewing. While sewing, you also don’t want the head to look like it has Frankenstein stitches going all around it, so try to sew as invisibly as you can. Put in more stuffing if needed.

Groot2sm

Body

Repeat Rnds 1-4 of Head Part A.

Rnd 5: [(2 sc), 3 sc] 6 times. (30)

Rnds 6-7: Sc evenly. (30)

Rnd 8: [dec, 3 sc] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 9: [dec, 2 sc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 10: [dec, 4 sc] 3 times. (15)

Put in some stuffing or your sack of poly pellets. If you plan to wire the Body, anchor the bottom wire now if you like, but you can also run the wire after you complete the Body if you don’t have a bag of pellets at the bottom.

Rnd 11: [dec, 3 sc] 3 times. (12)

Rnds 12-13: Sc evenly. (12)

Rnd 14: [dec, 2 sc] 3 times. (9)

Rnds 15 – 25: Sc evenly, stuffing lightly as you go. (9) (Note, I worked to 25 rnds because at first I was measuring the Body against a piece of pipe cleaner that I had. You can make him as tall as you like. For a longer Groot, I crocheted until the Body was about 6 inches long.)

Sl st to next st to join. Break off leaving 18 inches of yarn for sewing.

Sew top of Body to bottom of Head Part A. If you are wiring the body, trim the wire so that it reaches about half way into the head, and then poke the wire into the bottom of the head before sewing.

GrootBody

To prepare Arms, fold each end of the pipe cleaner to its center and then twist. If you are using wire, simply measure out the full length that you need for both arms.

Groot3sm

Use a pointy stick to stab through top of Body where Arms will go. I go 1 rnd below the the very top of the neck. This will help guide the pipe cleaner arms through the body, but is not necessary for wire. Slide twisted pipe cleaner into place.

Groot4sm

You can now determine how long you want the arms and lengthen/shorten the pipe cleaner/wire  accordingly. If you are using wire, bend the ends in now so that they are not so pokey.

Arms (make 2)

Pull out about 10 inches of Brown yarn for sewing later.

With H hook, ch 3 and sl st to 1st ch to form ring. (Don’t make a magic circle, or if you do, keep the opening loose because you need to fit the pipe cleaner through this hole.)

Rnd 1: Ch 1, work 4 sc into ring. (4)

Rnds 2 – 8: Sc evenly around. (4)

Slip Arm through pipe cleaner to see if it fits. Keep working evenly if you need more coverage.

When you reach the length that you need, create the finger branches.

Sl st to next st to join.

Ch 3, sk 1st ch, sl st 2 times. Sl st to next st.

Ch 5, sk 1 st ch, sl st 4 times. Sl st to next st.

Ch 4, sk 1st ch, sl st 3 times. Sl st to next st.

Sl st to next st. Break off.

While weaving in your end, also sew through the base of the fingers to pull the fingers inward so they are not splayed too open.

Groot5sm

Slide Arm back onto pipe cleaner and then sew to body. Repeat on other side.

Groot6sm

Leaves

The number of leaves and their placement are up to you!

With Green and F hook, ch 5 or ch 4 and sl st to 1st ch to form your leaf. Break off.

Tie leaf onto tree with yarn tails and then carefully weave in ends and/or hide them inside the tree.

Twisty Body Bits

If you want to add some twisty/viney bits to the body, simply work a length of chains about 12 – 18 inches for a shorter tree and 24 inches for  a taller tree with Brown and H hook, then wrap chain lengths around Body, sewing down at each end, and also tacking down with a few stitches around the middle wherever you want to make sure the vine stays put. I only made 2 lengths of chain, but you can add more, or put some on the arms, if you like!

Final Assembly

– Embroider a smile with black yarn or embroidery thread.

– Place baby Groot inside a small pot.

– Fill in with smooth pebbles to keep him upright. You might also need some pebbles underneath, so that he is not sitting too low in the pot.

– Decorate with fake moss.

– If you are giving this as a gift, and you don’t want anything to move around, you can also hot glue your baby Groot to the bottom of your pot, or glue something to the bottom of the pot for him to stand on, and then glue him to that, then cover with pebbles, moss, or both!

– EDIT: A couple people have commented that their Groot is too top heavy to stand on its own. I did not design him to stand up by himself. I always keep mine in his little white pot. The next one I make for my friend, I am going to try putting a little sack of Poly Pellets at the bottom and see if that helps. Don’t use loose pellets, as they might leak out of the stitch spaces. I’ve seen on google that some people make a little sack with a dryer sheet, but I’ll probably use a small square of fabric and sew it up, place it at the bottom/feet of the body, and then fill the rest of the body with regular stuffing. I’ll let you know if it works! Also don’t use beans to weigh down your toys. I’ve heard that sometimes if there is too much moisture, the beans will sprout! Which, in this particular case, might be kinda funny, but would also probably ruin your toy :P.

GrootDance3sm

 * This free pattern is intended for personal use only. Please do not copy, redistribute, or sell this pattern. Groot and Guardians of the Galaxy are the intellectual property of someone else who is not me or you, I am guessing Marvel Comics? So I would advise you not to sell items from this pattern without permission.

537 Comments on “Free Crochet Pattern: Potted Baby Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy”

  • Sara E

    says:

    Gonna grab some supplies for this tomorrow! I can’t wait to make it!!

  • Cara

    says:

    This is so cute I can’t even stand it!!!

  • katgumi

    says:

    Craft store run!! Thank you for sharing & not spoiling the movie, definitely taking the kiddo on discount day woo…cheap yes more to spend on yarn weehawkin!

  • Kylie

    says:

    Well looks like I’ll be making the second trip in two days to my local yarn shop to find an amazing substitute yarn, because I’m OBSESSED with making baby groot now!

  • Joan

    says:

    Thank you, this is sooo cute.

  • Terri

    says:

    Thank you, thank you, thank you! My other crocheting project just got stuffed back in the bag so I can start on this. :>)

  • Ellie

    says:

    This is so adorable!! I’m going to make a groot!!

  • Elizabeth

    says:

    Thank you so much for the pattern! It looks perfect!!!

  • msmilkt

    says:

    Will you consider selling these? It’s adorable!!

  • I’ve already ordered the wool to try and make mine! I’m so excited, thank you so much for this amazing pattern!

  • Bagelman

    says:

    This is so perfect I can’t even stand it. My first crocheted ami? Yes. Yes, I think so.

  • Tracy Marie

    says:

    Love it! Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂

  • Manda Martinez

    says:

    Thank you so much, Twinkie! I really appreciate you sharing him with us <3

  • Jess

    says:

    MEEP! This is so cute I can’t stand it.

  • Lindsay

    says:

    Thank you so much for posting this!! This is so perfect, I can’t wait to make it this weekend!! <3 <3

  • Lee

    says:

    Make a time-lapse video of the groot and post on Facebook.

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      OF groot doing what?

      • Lee

        says:

        Same as what it is doing with the animated GIFs.

  • SGivens

    says:

    Thanks so much for sharing! I gotta try this and I’m thinking that maybe a stop at the DollarTree for one of their solar dancing plants so he sways by himself? The possibilities are endless….

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      Yeah for sure! It would be pretty easy to stripe down something else and then just slip a Groot cozy over it 🙂

  • Mary

    says:

    I’m using Vanna’s Choice in Barley. It’s giving a nice oak tree kind of vibe. Thank you so much for making this pattern and sharing it with us!

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      That definitely would have been my 1st choice if I had some in the house!

      • Jess Evans

        says:

        That’s what I used for mine.

  • Pingback: - Dinchamion
  • Denise

    says:

    TWINKIE CHAN YOU’RE THE BEST! I thought I’d have to figure this out myself.

    Someone call me out of work so I can make an army of baby Groots right now.

  • Katie

    says:

    If you can dissect an old dancing toy from the 90s that reacts to music – you can make it actually dance!

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      Totally! I saw the tutorial where someone did that with fabric and a clay head.

  • jujuhooks

    says:

    This is absolutely gorgeous and cant wait to start a little forest for the gardens and patio’s. I love your work, and a big thank you for posting the pattern. Have a happy hooking day luv jujuhooks xxxx

  • Claire

    says:

    I’m working on the head section A making the broken branches part, and there seems to be an extra 3sc evenly paragraph.

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      Ah yes, you’re right! That is leftover from when I had his head bigger at 30 sc around. Thank you! Obvs, you can just randomly pick an iteration to delete, but I’ll go ahead and delete one. Thank you!!!

  • Denise

    says:

    so adorable i’m going to be making it. Thought also of how easy it might be to make smaller ones and make earrings out of it.

    Thank you.

    Well done.

  • Danielle Drown

    says:

    OMG! he is adorable! I love it. Both my boys and my sister are requesting one! Thank you so much for sharing your pattern!!!

  • Groot

    says:

    i am GROOT!!!!!!!

    I am groot. i AM groot.

  • I am so eternally grateful for this blog! I am in love with baby Groot!

  • One small problem, I don’t know how to crochet. Is there any chance you plan on selling these?? 😀

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      Thanks for the link! That’s essentially what I did with the pipe cleaners that I had, but I think the hair on the pipe cleaners made things harder :P. Wire would definitely poke through some stuffing more easily!

  • Bwarez

    says:

    Hey i made one. A nice tip for anyone else making it do one hand reverse so he has palms. 5 ch 4ch then 3ch. i did this pattern, because my brother couldn’t wait for me to figure one out. I am thinking if you work from bottom to top you can build the main Groot part in one piece then add the arms. That is what i will be trying next. You make Great stuff and this is the first time I commented because your pattern is great and fast. Excellent work. Thank you.

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      That is a good point! I did the head first and the body second, and also wasn’t sure how I was wiring the whole thing together yet! I still want to play with wiring the body, but there is definitely room for little fidgets and fixes, and for people to put their own spin on it 🙂

  • Cathy morton

    says:

    Is there a place where I can get one of these already made, and if so, how much would it be?

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      I don’t feel comfortable selling them, because this is based off someone else’s character (Marvel Comics), and I don’t have an official license or permission to do so. I’m sorry! I might be doing a free giveaway of a few Groots, though, so stay tuned!

  • Darci

    says:

    I think I may need to try my hand at this…too cute

  • Hadda

    says:

    How about a knitted version?

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      Hi! Sorry, I don’t really knit.

  • Donna

    says:

    Just returned from the store with Vanna’s Choice in Barley; looked like a great color for it (and now I see the comments above that I chose well), and also for the grass/moss I bought Bernat Tizzy in Sweet Green Pea. I haven’t seen the movie, nor am I familiar, but my niece requested this, and I’m happy to make it for her. Thanks so much for the free pattern.

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      Coolest auntie ever!

  • rocco jibraltar

    says:

    wanna sell one for fifty bucks?

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      I don’t feel comfortable selling them, because this is based off someone else’s character (Marvel Comics), and I don’t have an official license or permission to do so. I’m sorry! I might be doing a free giveaway of a few Groots, though, so stay tuned!

  • FatalEmpress

    says:

    HEllo! I just wanted to ask- for those of us who might be attempting to crochet for the first time and want to do this as a first endeavor (ambitious, I know!) is there an easier way or a guide to understand the instructions?

  • Bonnie

    says:

    Thanks for putting this out there.. great pattern! I used it as a base to make a larger one for my hubby… he loves it!

  • Leah

    says:

    He’s awesome!!!
    THANK YOU for the pattern. 🙂

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      This is the first finished one I’ve seen. SO CUTE! I LOVE IT!

      • Jess Evans

        says:

        Thanks again for the GREAT pattern. 🙂

  • Marianna

    says:

    So awesome. I cant wait to try it.

  • Khisalandra

    says:

    My sister posted a link to this on my FB and begged for one for her birthday. I was able to put him together with no trouble over the last 2 days. Thank you so much for this pattern! He turned out so cute! 🙂

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      Aw, I’m so happy! YAY!! <3

  • Karen Webb

    says:

    Thank you for this pattern. Have lots of friends who do not crochet and this will be great gifts for them.

  • OMG this is crazy cute! I love him, thanks for sharing the pattern 🙂

  • richard

    says:

    I love this can’t wait to do it at work 🙂

  • iris duran

    says:

    i love you i love you i love you i love you! this pattern made my day

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