I am a knitter; not a crocheter. But my sister, who doesn’t understand the difference, saw this and said she wanted one after seeing Guardians of the Galaxy. I think she will be quite surprised to get this for Christmas, but I have to learn to crochet to do it.

I am moving it from my queue to projects even though I am not entering the start date yet, as I am working on practice/learning pieces, but it is the next project I’m focussing on.

10/20/2014 I made a few leaves, so I guess I started.

10/22/2014 After making a practice head, I started the real thing. It’s looking good. I’m figuring out what I’m doing. I am in the even rows, but need to check my stitch count tonight before continuing. Anyway, I was afraid that I wasn’t leaving enough months between now and Christmas to learn to crochet andmake this, but now I don’t think time is going to be an issue at all.

Some of the photos may show the practice head.

Thought I was done with the head, but when I finished the “crown,” I had a gap of 5-6 sts at the end. Frogged off the crown (do we use the term “frog” in crocheting, as well?). Reviewing videos to make sure I’m poking into the correct stitch. Will start the crown over. Doubled checked number of stitches on a row. It is 27 like it’s supposed to be. I am proud of that, at least.

10/23/2014 Woo hoo! The main head part (part A) is done! That’s the most complicated part, right? It’s all downhill from here.

Well, I thought I finished head part B at bedtime, but I counted the stitches and was short two. I frogged the whole thing.

10/27/2014. Was at cub scout camp all weekend (I am the assistant cubmaster and person in charge). Got a little time to work, but with interruptions. I swear I made head part B eight or nine times before the final count came out. Started the body, and got past the decreases, but it hadn’t decreased! Those are new. Still learning. Restarted the body last night (well, couple of times), but put in a marker where my count was last good so I wouldn’t have to frog the whole thing if something went bad. Past the first set of decreases, and count is still on, so I am learning.

10/28/2014 Finished the body! There might be an extra increase on two rows to keep the stitch count right. Although it grates on my sense of doing it right, it looks fine for the purpose.

10/29/2014 I posted one photo of leftover, abandoned body parts. I think my biggest delay in finishing this will be finding time to go by Jo Ann to get the eyes.

10/30/2014 Added a couple of arms to the discarded body parts pile. Not as easy as I thought. It is hard to find that stitch to poke through. I think I finally have it figured out, though.

11/2/2014 Went camping this weekend and had some time to work on it. It is all done except to put some vines and leaves on it. And find a pot and decorative stones.

I think I sewed his skull on a row too low. Oh well. I hate that I see the stuffing through the stitches in the body. I guess I didn’t crochet tightly enough, or I over stuffed. I hoped I can massage it some when done, and careful application of vines and leaves will take care of it.

11/4/2014 Attached the vines. Just need to finish the leaves and find a pot and stones this weekend.

For giggles, hastily sewed together the practice/abandoned body pieces. (see photo). Trying to decide how to use this to play a joke on my sister, like a Facebook post with the photo: “I was planning to crochet the Baby Groot for Heather that she wanted, but I am just getting the hang of crocheting. Sorry, Heather.” And drop the good one in the mail about the same time.

11/6/2014 I forgot to mention that I filled his base with BB’s to give him some weight and lower center of gravity. Wrapped them in plastic wrap to keep them from poking through the stitches. If place carefully, he’ll stand up on his own.

12/25/2014 Heather has opened her Groot. I can change the status to public.