Amigurumi Big Daddy Bouncer from Bioshock, with Pattern!
Big Daddy (Bouncer) from Bioshock
The Bouncer is the iconic image of Bioshock, the first one anyhow… with his glowing portholes, Little Sister in tow and posture no man could envy, a cuddly version was an absolute necessity. This has been my most ambitious and maddening pattern design so far because of all of the pieces and details involved. I started a long time ago and had originally hoped to have this out before the release of Bioshock 2, but had to redesign so many parts and I couldn’t crochet fast enough to get it together in time, so here he is a few days behind schedule in all of his Amigurumi glory… Mr. Bubbles is all yarn save for 8 buttons (no wire reinforcements and yes he can stand up on his own!) Pattern is after the photos for those ambitious enough to want to make your own Big Daddy! Click photos to see the larger version.
Front View
Back View
BackSide
Head Closeup
Pattern
SC = Single Crochet
SL ST = Slip Stitch
INVDEC = Invisible Decrease
INC = Increase (2 SC in one stitch)
Yarn Colours Used
Platinum *
Silver Grey
Charcoal
Truffle *
Caramel
Christmas Red
Body 3.75 mm hook – Tan
CH2 or Magic Ring or however you like to start
1. SC x 6 (6)
2. INC in each stitch (12)
3. SC then INC; repeat around (18)
4. SC x 3 then INC x 3 then SC x 6 then INC x 3 then SC x 3 (24)
5. SC x 2 then INC; repeat around (32)
6. SC x 6 then INC x 3 then SC x 14 then INC x 3 then SC x 6 (38)
7. SC x 6 then INC x 4 then SC x 15 then INC x 4 then SC x 9 (46)
8. SC around (46)
9 – 14 SC around (46)
15. SC 11 then INVDEC x 2 then SC x 19 then INVDEC x 2 then SC x 8 (42)
16. SC around (42)
17. SC around (42)
18. SC x 5 then INV DEC; repeat (36)
19. SC around (36)
20. SC around (36)
21. SC x 4 then INV DEC; repeat around (30)
22. SC around (30)
23. SC around (30)
24. SC then INV DEC; repeat around (20)
25. SC around (20)
26. SC x 3 then INV DEC; repeat around (15)
27. SC then INV DEC; repeat around (10)
28. INV DEC x 5
Finish Off and weave in tail
Head 3.75 mm hook – Tan
CH2 or Magic Ring or however you like to start
1. SC x 6 (6)
2. INC in each stitch (12)
3. SC then INC; repeat around (18)
4. SC x 2 then INC; repeat around (24)
5. SC x 3 then INC; repeat around (30)
6. SC around (30)
7 – 12. SC around for each row (30)
13. SC x 3 then INV DEC; repeat around (24)
14. SL ST around (24)
Stuff
15. (do this row in the slip stitch row you just did) SC then INC; repeat around (36)
16. SC then INC; repeat around (54)
Finish Off and leave a long tail, stuff head and apply to body, sewing it on with the tail.
Eyes 2.5 mm hook – Tan (Make 8 and stitch to the helmet.)
For the portholes you need some buttons, green for a friendly hypnotized Big Daddy, yellow for a normal one and red for a mad one. The buttons should be proportionate to the head size. This pattern makes a little crochet basket for the button to be in but if you are feeling lazy, you can just apply the buttons directly to the head. Look at a Bouncer image or go play the game before attaching as they are arranged in a specific pattern.
CH2 or Magic Ring or however you like to start
1. SC x 6 (6)
2. SC then INC; repeat around (9)
3. SC around (9)
Finish Off and leave a long tail, pull the tail through the button shank then down through the bottom of the basket and stitch it to the head.
Arms 3.5 mm hook – Dark Grey (Make 2)
I made the arms in two parts because getting the fabric to make angled bends for elbows and things isn’t intuitive to me at all. This way you can modify poses and things as well to suit your Big Daddy!
CH2 or Magic Ring or however you like to start
1. SC x 6 (6)
2. INC in each stitch (12)
3. SC around (12)
4 – 10. SC around (12)
stuff
11. SC then INV DEC; repeat around (9)
12. Finish and tie off
13. SL ST around where you want the upper arm to start, you want to offset this at an angle to make an elbow of sorts. SL ST 12 in a circle on the fabric from the forearm which is finished off.
14. (this is worked in the circle of SL ST you just made) SC around (12)
15. SC around (12)
16. SC x 2 then INC; repeat around (16)
17 – 18. SC around (16)
19. SC 7 then INC; repeat (18)
20. SC around (18)
21. SC x 6 then CH (6)
22. skip the first stitch then SC x 7 tgen CH (7)
23. skip the first stitch then SC x 3 then INV DEC then SC x 2 then SL ST
Finish Off and leave a long tail, stuff then use the tail to stitch then open end to body.
*You may need to may the upper arm shorter or longer to look proportionate depending on the pose you are making.
Legs 3.5 mm hook – Dark Grey (Make 2)
CH2 or Magic Ring or however you like to start
1. SC x 6 (6)
2. INC in each (12)
3. SC then INC; repeat around (18)
4. SC around (18)
5 – 6. SC around for rows 5 and 6 (18)
7. SC x 7 then INV DEC; repeat (16)
8. SC around (16)
9. SC x 6 then INV DEC; repeat (14)
10. SC around (14)
11. SC x 5 then INV DEC (12)
12. SC around (12)
13. SC around (12)
14. SC then INC; repeat around (18)
15. SC around (18)
16 – 17. SC around for rows 16 and 17 (18)
18. INV DEC, INV DEC, INV DEC then SC x 12 (15)
19. SC around (15)
20. SC x 3 then INV DEC; repeat around (12)
21. SC around (12)
The remainder of the leg pattern is no longer worked in the round and goes back and forth to form the upper thigh shape.
22. SC x 6 then CH and turn (6)
23. skip the first stitch then SC x 7 then CH and turn (7)
24. skip the first stitch then SC x 3 then INV DEC then SC x 2 then SL ST
Finish Off and leave a long tail, stuff then use the tail to stitch then open end (thigh) to body.
Boot 3.5 mm hook – Tan (Make 2)
CH2 or Magic Ring or however you like to start
1. SC x 6 (6)
2. INC in each (12)
3. SC x 3 then INC; repeat around (15)
4. SC around (15)
5 – 8. SC around (15)
9. SC x 3 then INV DEC; repeat around (12)
10. SC around (12)
11 – 13. SC around (12)
Stuff
14. SC x 2 then INV DEC; repeat around (9)
15. INV DEC x 3
Finish Off and weave in tail. Use a 3.0 mm hook and same color yarn to SL ST around the bottom of the boot to create a sole, and around the front to create the big toe cap.
Boot Cuffs 3.5 mm Hook – Dark Brown (Make 2)
CH 3
1. SC x 2 then CH (2)
2 – 14. repeat row 1 for rows 2 through 14 (2)
Finish Off and leave a long tail. Sew strip into a cuff which is sewn to the boot and the bottom of the leg to connect the two.
Belt 3.0 mm Hook – Dark Brown
CH 3
1. SC x 2 then CH (2)
2 – 33. repeat row 1 for rows 3 through 34 (2)
Finish Off and leave a long tail
Belt Weight 3.0 mm Hook – Light Grey (Make 4)
CH 5
1. SC x 4 CH (4)
2. SC 2 then CH (2)
3. SC 2 then CH (2)
4. SC 2 then CH (2)
Finish off and leave a long tail
Sew two L shapes together to make the square shaped weight for the belt. Sew it to the belt, one on each side of Waist, before attaching the belt.
Boot Weight 3.0 mm Hook – Light Grey (Make 2)
CH 7
1. SC x 6 then CH (6)
2. SC 2 then CH (2)
3 – 5. SC 2 then CH (2)
Finish off.
Insert hook into stitch on other end of first strip of SC (row 1)
CH
1. SC x 2 then CH (2)
2 – 4. SC x 2 then CH (2)
5. SC x 2 CH SC x 2 CH (4)
6. ship first stitch then SC x 2 then CH (2)
Finish off and leave a long tail. Use the tail to stitch to the Boot cuff.
Drill 3.0mm Hook – Medium Grey
This has to be worked very tightly and reinforced with a cardboard cone on the inside so it doesn’t look like a big sausage and had that proper drill shape.
CH2 or Magic Ring or however you like to start
1. SC x 6 (6)
2. SC x 6 (6)
3. SC x 2 then INC; repeat (8)
4. SC x 3 then INC; repeat (10)
5. SC x 4 then INC; repeat (12)
6. SC x 5 then INC; repeat (14)
7. SC x 6 then INC; repeat (16)
8. SC around (16)
9. SC x 7 then INC; repeat (18)
10. SC around (18)
11. SC x 8 then INC; repeat (20)
12. SC around (20)
13. SC x 9 then INC; repeat (22)
14. SC around (22)
15. SC then INC; repeat around (33)
16. SL ST around (33)
Reinforce with a cardboard cone (cut toilet paper roll works well) and stuff. Drill goes on the left arm. For the detail on the drill, do a SL ST through the fabric going around in a spiral where you want the sharp drill edge to be, then go back through that whole line of SL ST and do SC then INC in every other stitch. You want to make sure it’s not so tight it distorts the fabric so if it’s getting tight, pepper in a few extra INCs. Attach the drill to the end of the forearm. You may need to add a “cuff” to the end of his arm so it looks right where it attaches.
Glove 3.0 mm Hook – Dark Brown
CH2 or Magic Ring or however you like to start
1. SC x 6 (6)
2. SC then INC; repeat around (9)
3. SC around (9)
4. SC around (9)
5. SC around (9)
Finish off and keep a long tail. The glove is basically a cup, you will make fingers then sandwitch them in the cup and stitch it closed with them in there, like fingers.
Fingers (Make 5)
CH 4 then SC x 4 (4)
Finish off, tie off and cut yarn. Stick end that is tied in the glove cup and try to arrange them to look like a hand. Finished glove goes on the left arm.
Bib Hook 3.5mm – Tan
CH 14
1. SC x 13 CH (13)
2. SC x 12 then SL ST then CH (12)
3. skip first stitch then SC x 11 then CH (11)
4. skip first stitch then SC 10 CH (10)
5. SL ST then SC x 9 then CH (9)
6. skip first stitch SC x 8 (8)
Finish off then leave long tail and stitch the bib to the torso just under the head.
Decorating Big Daddy Hook 3.0mm
To add the cuffs and decoration to the arms, legs and body around the arms and legs where they are attached, do the following:
1. SL ST where you want to add the cuff or rib
2. CH then SC then INC in every other SL ST all the way around to where you started
Finish Off and weave in tail
Carapass Piping No hook
This was a tricky wicky one, how to give him the look of pipes without using wires? You can use wires if you want or course, copper could look groovy, but I wanted my Bouncer to be all yarn. The answer? Friendship bracelets!
Thread a tapestry needle with a long piece of yarn 3 times at least longer than the length of the “piping” you need to make.
Pull it through the anchor on the Big Daddy (I made “rivets” but you could just stitch it to the fabric or use buttons or whatever) use one strand to tie a knot around the other, repeat, then switch and use the other strand to tie two knots around the other strand, keep switching back and forth like that. It retains some form of stiffness and you can tie it all together to form the carapass. This was probably my least favorite part.
Tank 3.5mm Hook – Various Colors
Start in Medium Grey
CH2 or Magic Ring or however you like to start
1. SC x 6 (6)
2. INC in each ST (12)
3. INC in each ST (24)
4. (work this row in only the back loop of each stitch) SC around (24)
Switch to Light Grey
5. SC around (24)
6 – 11. SC around (24)
Switch to Dark Grey
12. SC around (24)
Switch to Light Grey
13. SC around (24)
14 – 20. SC around (24)
21. SC x 2 then INV DEC; repeat around (18)
22. SC then INV DEC; repeat around (12)
Switch to Dark Grey
23. INV DEC x 6 (2.5 mm hook)
24. SC x 6 (2.5mm hook)
Finish Off and weave in tail. Attach a red ring or button for a “handle” for the tank.
Rivets and Kneecaps 2.5mm hook
CH2 or Magic Ring or however you like to start
1. SC x 6 (6)
2. INC in each ST (12)
Finish off leaving a long tail to use to sew the piece in place.
The only thing I don’t have instructions for is the tube gun thing on his back next to the tank because I forgot to take notes. Sorry!
* fixed a few errors in the pattern. Thanks Bioamiti, Vienn and hbootsman.
How wonderful is this!!! My husband and I play Bioshock ( both of them ) together, and i am going to crochet this Big daddy for his office. Thanks so much for doing this and also for making it free.
Wow, this is amazing! You should add it to ravelry.
This is truly AMAZING!! Thanks you for sharing. I cannot wait to try your Katamari Prince pattern, and my husband adores this Big Daddy! (though I don't know if I have the patience to make it myself…)
Well done – Hubby just walked passed me and asked me "Why don't I have one of these already?".
I totally love it! I featured it on our site! Keep up the amazing work!
http://8bitfix.ning.com/forum/topics/make-your-own-amigurumi
Wowwwww!! what a fantastic toy! just amazing…
IEP!
You have no idea how long i have been waiting for somebody to make a pattern of a big daddy! Now we need a little sister to put on his back
Thank you so much! I’m going to make him for sure.
This is so freakin cool! You are amazing…I don’t know anything about these characters, but I am so impressed that you not only made this, but created a pattern for it. Yay for crochet engineers!!
[...] Y ahora, para que no se enmorriñe nuestro lado más frikigumi tienes que ver el patrón en inglés que he encontrado de un Big Daddy de [...]
[...] It sounds like Rapture! I know, I even amaze myself sometimes. The amigurumi expert over at Nerdigurmi took the Big Daddy from Bioshock and made him all cuddly and soft. Perfect toy for a Little Sister. [...]
super good! I’m totally stroke speechless by the fantastic detail on every part! It must have been hours and hours of pain-in-the-butt trial and error to make it!!=(> <)= Ba-chan suzumiya approves!!!!!
[...] had not even had the idea to attempt to make this for my brother until i cam across a pattern for a crochet version! This was perfect for me, i have been looking to expand my crochet skills beyond just making [...]
ok so for most of my life iv ben a hard core gamer. i mean HARD CORE i beat bio shock 2 fist day it came out for bobs sake!…. any way i just started crocheting and its so much fun!!! yes im a guy so what my grandmother has done so menny thing for me that i finly was like why not ill try and im haveing a lot of truble but it will pass i hope. but i just HAD to say thinks so much for this i think its
AMAZING!!!! well thanks
Love, The Darkness
Crocheting’s not just for ladies
There was a guy at my workshop and he was really picking it up quite quickly 
I am sure you’ll get the hang of it very quickly. For me the big eureka moment was finding some videos on youtube where the work was in frame and how the person was doing it and what they were doing made sense to me. You might want to have a look there, because with crochet it’s like, once you grasp the stitch, you can rock any pattern that calls for that stitch… I like to think of stitches like pixels, a pattern just arranges them in a certain way, like a sprite graphic type thing, it looks impressive when you see it all arranged together, but it’s just one simple little building block over and over and over again.
Also, Bioshock’s not just for guys! I’m trying to get through the first one right now… it’s certainly a challenge for me because I haven’t really played any FPS or games like that, mainly puzzle games and things with really simple control schemes like Katamari Damacy. I loved the story and the images and just the vibe of the game, watching hubby play was like watching a movie, but doing it myself is a lot harder!
I love the analogy of crochet and pixels! I’d love to add it to my blog, and credit you for the great thinking.
That’s beautiful and inspiring! I admire your tenacity!
Oh it’s so gorgeous!… And when i saw “nerdigurumi”, i don’t feel lonely anymore, i’m not the only crazy-about-video-games-and-amigurumi-mixed-together on earth. I love your blog and i’m totally crazy about your Big Daddy, because i really like this game (great steampunk gods, thanks! ^o^) and now i can sing sacred-spirits songs to your perfect blog.
Hahaha, seriously, really, you ROCK. Your other crocheted-pals are so cute i can’t resist to make one. Hope see new, i’ll keep an eye on your site
And i share, “Dark Legend D16″ crochet is not only for girls, and i admire you guy, and think you’re proud when you say “i made it” \o/
Nerds will rule the world.
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[...] From people who are good with their hands. Big Daddy bouncer from BioShock, in crochet. Of [...]
Oh WOW! This is fabulous. I just came across your site via Sprite Stitch and I would LOVE to link to this if you didn’t mind. I have a Geek Craft Roundup and everyone would love this!
Thanks so much
Yes please by all means. Feel free to help yourself to the photos as well for your post. There’s another post too with some photos of the Big Daddy posed with his Little Sister too. I’ll be getting the pattern for that up shortly as well, and plan to get started on sussing out a Rosie when I get some good hooking time in.
[...] Nerdigurumi drivs av en nördig virkare som bland annat gjort en fantastiskt fin Big Daddy från ett av mina [...]
[...] special. They’re awesome. For example, the first pattern I found on this blog was about how to crochet a Big Daddy. Some of you already know what I’m talking about. Yeah, I’m talking about the big man [...]
WOW,im not big on crocheting but that is crazy realistic,good job there.You should try making a rumbler.
[...] Big Daddy Knitting Pattern – Ever played Bioshock? Here’s a knitting pattern to make your very own Big Daddy plush. [...]
I’d very much like to buy one of these if your interested in selling them. E-mail me.
hey miijii,
i’m about to crochet the bouncer and I found the first mistake.
I think it should be 2 sc and 1 invdec in round 14 of the boot to get 9 stitches from 12 in the round before.
can’t wait to see my finished big daddy…or my boyfriend’s new big daddy. :/
Actually that’s the second or third mistake
Someone else pointed out a few others a while ago. Happy to see people are using the pattern 
Wow! You are so absolutely amazing! I don’t care is there are mistakes, it’s fantastic and you are talented!
Wow!!!
I’m really impressed with your work.
My husband loves Bioshock. He has a lot of figure actions. I’m just a beginner in crochet but I’ll try to make this one for his birthday.
Thank you so much, and congrats for your art!!!!!
I just picked up a crochet needle and some thread this morning. We will see how it goes for the first time ever touching a crochet needle haha.
Oh My God! This is the best amigurumi I’ve ever seen! This will be made as a gift for my nerdy boyfriend, but that is just because we are moving in together so that vi can have it on display?
Hey! I’m about to make the drill and I was wondering if there is something I must do to get that ribbing-like detail on it?
Hi, this part of the pattern explains it.
For the detail on the drill, do a SL ST through the fabric going around in a spiral where you want the sharp drill edge to be, then go back through that whole line of SL ST and do SC then INC in every other stitch. You want to make sure it’s not so tight it distorts the fabric so if it’s getting tight, pepper in a few extra INCs.
Have a look at this video if you need some help on what I mean by surface crochet slip stitches into the fabric. http://nerdigurumi.com/2010/02/slip-stitch-technique-for-detail-work.html
I’ve finally finished my Big Daddy (http://www.loopyjess.co.uk/2010/11/mr-bubbles.html) and I’m so very, very, very happy with how well he turned out. Thank you so much for such a fantastic pattern Emjay!
[...] from Harry Potter. There are amigurumi (small crocheted toys/cute things) and knitted toys of major video game characters – and in fact, the website featuring that Bioshock amigurumi is called [...]
So cute!! I’ll have to do this for my Little Sister cosplay…. You should put up the design for the Little Sister. 8D
im getting my mum to make me one now XD
The pattern has a lot of pieces to put together, your mum must love you very much
Let her know if she runs into problems if she leaves a comment here I always try to help with confusing instructions or things of that nature.
Hi
I’m trying to make the arms and I don’t understand the part about finishing off the first section and then slip stiching at an angle? Also I don’t understand how you went from decreasing down to 9 for the first piece and then suddenly able to slip stich around and get 12 slip stiches for the second part of the arm.
Have you watched the video that demonstrates that part? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw5s-iUl0Q8
[...] crocheted Big Daddy from the game Bioshock, among other video game characters you’ll find at her website. They [...]
I don’t exactly understand the legs at this point:
22. SC x 6 then CH (6)
23. skip the first stitch then SC x 7 tgen CH (7)
24. skip the first stitch then SC x 3 then INV DEC then SC x 2 then SL ST
Finish Off and leave a long tail, stuff then use the tail to stitch then open end (thigh) to body.
Why do you not finish round 22? and what’s with the chains? :s
I’d love to get this done so I can post it to my blog and start the doll version. :3
This is so amazing, my kids love Bioshock and my daughter will adore this Big Daddy. Thank you so much for this.
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love your work and my grandsonis a big fan.i have been crocheting for 40 years so dont usually have much trouble following patterns.but i am stuck to know how to sort out bid daddys arm.what is tgen.ihave looked at your videos and the comments others have got stuck on butiam ashamed to say,everyone elseseems to know what it is and get on with it .we have never seen ,only from your photos the real big d.ethan just likes the look of him.i have sent you an email by the usual way .dont think you could have got it. cathy
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Hey! A friend asked me to make him a Big Daddy, and I was super stoked to find this pattern!
Two months later, I finally get around to working on it XD
I’m really confused by the arms though. The top part (second part you work on), with the sc 6, ch 6, then all of a sudden it’s on the next round?
If that could be clarified, it would be fantastic! (Feel free to e-mail me at trisarahtops013@gmail.com)
Yes sorry at the end of that round you CH1 and turn your work and start working the next row. It goes from the prior part of the pattern being in the round, to being worked in rows. I’m out of town right now and don’t have time to add more detail but I will try to flesh that part out so it is more intuitive
THANK YOU.
That makes much more sense now XD
I cant seem to find this yarn anywhere…any ideas? Similar brands? Thanks, Kelly
Essentially any worsted weight yarn will do the trick. If you can’t find it in cotton Acrylic like red heart super saver or various other brands are fine
Daddy! <3
I just found your website.
This big daddy is soo cool..
Amazing… looked like it’s difficult.
Thanks for share the pattern.
may I copy the cute pattern from your web?
I want to try to make them…
I’ll let you know when I finish
Thank you. You can copy it or print or write it down or things like that fo your own personal use. What I ask is that it is not republished or sold. It was fairly difficult because of all of the pieces, the sewing and the sheer number of finnicky little details. It involves a lot of surface crochet to get all the details. It’s worth it when completed though because it feels like a pretty epic accomplishment.
I was wondering if you were still going to post the little sister pattern! I love your work and have made the sack boys and this one for my kids so far!
I didn’t write it up as I went, or if I did I lost the notes, because I can’t find any anywhere. Although I have always meant to, I double I will write this pattern up because it’s such a finnicky one, trying to figure it out looking at the doll would be a serious pain. Sorry
Thank you for the rest of the patterns you’ve posted, your wickedly talented!