Bioshock 2 – Big Daddy (Bouncer) Dolly
Bioshock 2 - Big Daddy doll found in Pauper`s Drop and Persephone
The doll is proportionately sized, and though I skipped the orange screwdriver in the eye (I didn’t want to hurt Mr. Bubbles, and wanted him to be cuddly!), the recreation is quite similar to the original, though obviously in crochet and not fabric. Because of it’s size and the number of pieces to put together it is a time consuming project but the techniques are basic so with a little patience, anyone can do it. I took photos of him with my daughter’s Adam Needle from her Little Sister costume for effect. Sadly she has outgrown the dress so a Little Sister photo shoot was not happening.
Bouncer dolly, found in Pauper`s Drop and Persephone
Mr. Bubbles is soft and cuddly!
The back of the doll.
a closer look
The original, though I opted to nix the screwdriver
The back of the original
This pattern is made using a 3.5 mm crochet hook and medium weight worsted yarn. Some parts are worked in a spiral, others are joined rounds. Unless specified it’s safe to assume work is done in the spiral. In joined round, the CH does not count as a stitch. Colours may be substituted, but those I used were as follows:
Army Tan
Camel
Truffle *
Warm Brown
Charcoal
Pale Yellow
SC = Single Crochet
SL ST = Slip Stitch
SK = Skip a stitch
INVDEC = Invisible Decrease
INC = Increase
DC = Double Crochet
TC = Treble or Triple Crochet
Body
Warm Brown
CH 2 or Magic Ring or start however you like
1. SC x 6; (6)
2. INC x 6; (12)
3. INC x 3, SC x 3; repeat; (18)
4. DC, DC INC x 3, DC, SC x 4; repeat; (24)
5. SC x 2, DC INC x 3, SC x 7; repeat; (30)
6. SC x 3, DC INC x 3, SC x 9; repeat (36)
7. SC x 3, DC INC, DC INC, TC INC, TC INC, DC INC, DC INC, SC X 9; repeat; (48)
8. SC x 7, DC INC, TC INC, TC INC, DC INC, SC x 13; repeat; (56)
9. SC around; (56)
10 – 24. repeat round 9 for rounds 10 through 24; (56)
25. SC x 6, INVDEC, SC x 6; repeat 3 times; (52)
26. SC x 11, INVDEC; repeat 3 times; (48)
27. SC x 5, INVDEC, SC x 5; repeat 3 times; (44)
28. SC x 9, INVDEC; repeat 3 times; (40)
29. SC x 4, INVDEC, SC x 4; repeat 3 times; (36)
30. SC x 7, INVDEC; repeat 3 times; (32)
31. SC x 3, INVDEC, SC x 3; repeat 3 times; (28)
32. SC x 5, INVDEC; repeat 3 times; (24)
33. SC x 2, INVDEC, SC x 2; repeat 3 times; (18) (stuff)
34. SC x 3, INVDEC; repeat 3 times; (14)
35. SC, INVDEC, SC; repeat 3 times; (8)
36. INVDEC x 3, finish off leaving long tail for sewing shut.
Head
Army Tan
CH 2 or Magic Ring or start however you like
1. SC x 6; (6)
2. INC x 6; (12)
3. SC then INC; repeat 5 times; (18)
4. SC then INC then SC; repeat 5 times; (24)
5. SC x 3 then INC; repeat 5 times; (30)
6. SC, SC, INC, SC, SC; repeat 5 times; (36)
7. SC x 5 then INC; repeat 5 times; (42)
8. SC X 3 then INC then SC x 3; repeat 5 times; (48)
9. SC x 7 then INC; repeat 5 times; (54)
10. SC x 4 then INC then SC x 4; repeat 5 times; (60)
11. SC x 9 then INC; repeat 5 times; (66)
12. SC x 10 then INC then SC x 11; repeat 2 times; (69)
13. SC x 22 then INC; repeat 2 times; (72)
14. SC around; (72)
15-20. repeat round 14 for rounds 15 through 20; (72)
21. SK next stitch then SL ST around, finish off leaving a long tail for stitching head to body. Once the body is done, stuff the head and pin it to the body. it will cover basically the entire torso because Bouncers don`t have necks!
Portholes (make 8 of them)
Starting in pale yellow, work these joined instead of in a spiral
CH 2 or Magic Ring or start however you like
1. SC x 6; join then CH 1; (6)
2. INC x 6; join then CH 1; (12)
Switch to Army Tan, CH 1;
3. SL ST around, finish off leaving a long tail for stitching;
Boot Toe (make 2)
Truffle, work these joined instead of in a spiral
CH 2 or Magic Ring or start however you like
1. SC x 6; join then CH 1; (6)
2. INC x 6; join then CH 1; (12)
3. SC then INC; repeat 5 times; join then CH 1; (18)
4. SC around; join then CH 1; (18)
5-7. SC around then join and CH 1; repeat twice for rounds 5 through 7; (18)
8. SL ST around, finish off leaving a long tail for stitching
Right Leg
Truffle, work these joined instead of in a spiral
CH 2 or Magic Ring or start however you like
1. SC x 6; join then CH 1; (6)
2. INC x 6; join then CH 1; (12)
3. SC then INC; repeat 5 times; join then CH 1; (18)
4-11. SC around, join then CH 1; repeat 8 times for rounds 4 through 11; (18)
12. SL ST around; switch to grey join then CH1; (18)
13. SC around; join then CH 1; (18)
14-15. SC around; join then CH 1; repeat for rounds 14 and 15; (18)
16. SC x 7, DC x 4, SC x 7; join then CH 1; (18)
17. SL ST x 4, SC x 10, S ST x 4; join then CH 1; (18)
18. SC around; join then CH 1; (18)
19-20. SC around; join then CH 1; repeat for rounds 19 and 20; (18)
21. SC x 4, INC, SC x 4; repeat; join then CH 1; (20)
22. SC x 2, INC, SC x 2; repeat x 3; join then CH 1; (24)
23. SC x 3, DC, DCINC, DC, DC INC, DC, DC, SC x 4, SL ST x 11; (26)
Finish off and leave a long tail for stitching.
Left Leg
Repeat the pattern for right leg up to and including round 22. Substitute the following for round 23.
23. SL ST x 12, SC x 3, DC, DC INC, DC, DC INC, DC, DC, SC x 3; (26)
Finish off and leave a long tail for stitching.
Stuff and pin thighs to the body then stitch. Boot toes are to be lightly stuffed and pinned to the bottom of the leg nub at a slight angle to create a foot shape.
Tank
Truffle, work these joined instead of in a spiral
CH 2 or Magic Ring or start however you like
1. SC x 6; join then CH 1; (6)
2. INC x 6; join then CH 1; (12)
3. SC then INC; repeat 5 times; join then CH 1; (18)
4. SC, INC, SC; repeat 5 times; join then CH 1; (24)
5. SL ST around; CH 1; (24)
Hook into the outer most loop of the previous round and work in this loop for this round (video demonstrating this technique).
6. SC around; join then CH 1; (24)
The rest is worked normally through both loops.
7-26. repeat round 6, 20 times for rounds 7 through 26; (24)
Finish off leaving a long tail for stitching.
Tank Bottom
Truffle, work these joined instead of in a spiral
CH 2 or Magic Ring or start however you like
1. SC x 6; join then CH 1; (6)
2. INC x 6; join then CH 1; (12)
3. SC then INC; repeat 5 times; join then CH 1; (18)
4. SC, INC, SC; repeat 5 times; join then CH 1; (24)
5. SL ST around; CH 1; (24)
Finish off then stitch to bottom of the tank cylinder. Once sewn on halfway, stuff then complete stitching.
Surface crochet a circle in pale yellow on tank top and bottom, then stitch across to create the handle.
Drill
Truffle, work in a spiral
CH 2 or Magic Ring or start however you like
1. SC x 4; (4)
2. SC, INC; repeat; (6)
3. SC, INC, SC; repeat; (8)
4. SC x 3, INC; repeat; (10)
5. SC x 2, INC, SC x 2; repeat; (12)
6. SC x 5, INC; repeat; (14)
7. SC x 3, INC, SC x 3; repeat; (16)
8. SC x 7, INC; repeat; (18)
9. SC x 4, INC, SC x 4; repeat; (20)
10. SC x 9, INC; repeat; (22)
11. SC x 5, INC, DC x 5; repeat; (24)
12. SC x 11, INC; repeat; (26)
13. SC x 6, INC, SC x 6; repeat; (28)
14. SC x 13, INC; repeat; (30)
15. SC x 7, INC, SC x 7; repeat; (32)
16. SC x 15, INC; repeat; (34)
Finish off and leave a long tail for stitching. Should be reinforced with plastic cross stitching canvas to maintain a good pointy cone shape rather than looking sausagey. Surface crochet in warm brown going around the spiral to create a drill effect. Stuff before stitching on drill back.
Drill Back
Truffle, work these joined instead of in a spiral
CH 2 or Magic Ring or start however you like
1. SC x 7; join then CH 1; (7)
2. INC x 7; join then CH 1; (14)
3. SC then INC; repeat 6 times; join then CH 1; (21)
4. SC, INC, SC; repeat 6 times; join then CH1; (28)
5. SC x 3, INC; repeat 6 times; join; (35)
6. SL ST around; CH 1; (35)
Hook into the outer most loop of the previous round and work in this loop for this round (video demonstrating this technique).
7. SC around; join then CH 1; (35)
8. SC around; join; (35)
Finish off leaving a long tail for stitching. Stitch to drill cone, stuff then pin and stitch to right arm stub.
Left Arm
Truffle, work these joined instead of in a spiral
CH 2 or Magic Ring or start however you like
1. SC x 6; join then CH 1; (6)
2. INC x 6; join then CH 1; (12)
3. INC x 2, SC x 4; repeat; join then CH 1; (16)
4. SC around; join then CH 1; (16)
5. SC, INVDEC, SC x 4, INC x 2, SC x 3, INVDEC, SC x 2; join then CH 1; (16)
6. SC around; join then CH 1; (16)
7-9. repeat round 6 for rounds 7 through 9; (16)
Switch to grey yarn.
10. SC around; join then CH 1; (16)
11. SC, INVDEC, SC x 4, INC x 2, SC x 3, INVDEC, SC x 2; join then CH 1; (16)
12-13. repeat round 11 for rounds 12 and 13; (16)
14. SC, INVDEC, SC x 4, DC, DC INC, DC INC, DC, SC x 2, INVDEC, SC; join then CH 1; (16)
15. SC around; join then CH 1; (16)
16. SC around; join then CH 1; (16)
17. SC x 5, SC, INC, SC, INC, SC, INC, SC x 5; join then CH 1; (19)
18. SC around; join then CH 1; (19)
19. SC around; join then CH 1; (19)
Finish off and leave long tail for stitching.
Right Arm
Truffle, work these joined instead of in a spiral
CH 2 or Magic Ring or start however you like
1. SC x 8; join then CH 1; (8)
2. INC x 8; join then CH 1; (16)
3. SL ST around; (16)
This has formed the base the drill will be stitched to. Hook into the outer most loop of the previous round and work in this loop for this round (video demonstrating this technique).
4. SC around; join then CH 1; (16)
The rest is worked normally through both loops.
5. SC around; join then CH 1; (16)
Switch to grey yarn.
6. SC around; join then CH 1; (16)
7. SC, INVDEC, SC x 4, INC x 2, SC x 3, INVDEC, SC x 2; join then CH 1; (16)
8-9. repeat round 6 for rounds 8 and 9; (16)
10. SC, INVDEC, SC x 4, DC, DC INC, DC INC, DC, SC x 2, INVDEC, SC; join then CH 1; (16)
11. SC around; join then CH 1; (16)
12. SC around; join then CH 1; (16)
13. SC x 5, SC, INC, SC, INC, SC, INC, SC x 5; join then CH 1; (19)
14. SC around; join then CH 1; (19)
15. SC around; join then CH 1; (19)
Finish off and leave long tail for stitching.
Knee Pads (make 2)
Truffle
CH 2 or Magic Ring or start however you like
1. SC, DC x 3, SC x 2, DC x 3, SC; (10)
Finish off and stitch to knees.
Surface crochet bands around thighs, knees and elbows in Army tan. Create piping on head using long chains in Camel, pinned to head and stitched in place. Use natural or white yarn to make decorative ‘dolly’ stitching. As with all of my patterns, if you run into difficulties or have any questions, please leave a comment and I will respond with clarification.
Thank you sooooo much for this pattern!
Hi, first of all this pattern is great! However I’m having trouble with row 25 of the body. I’m starting out with 56 stitches but when I follow the pattern, SC X 6, INVDEC, SC X 6; repeat 3 times (52), I end up with 53 stitches instead of 52. Am I doing something wrong?
Thank you!
Katherine
I have no idea and don’t feel like looking at math. I would suggest throwing in a decrease and moving on with your life. One stitch won’t make a big difference either way.
Thank you very much for your pattern. My son asked me, as a present, a dolly Big Daddy.
I’m from Catalonia (Spain) and I’ve perfectly understood your explanations, very clear and understandable.
Now I have another work to do: a fun Keroro! 😀
I keep having to restart on the head and I don’t know why! Somehow I keep messing up when I get to round 12 and I end up having a stitch left over…?
A stitch never really made much of a difference in the grand scheme of things.
Hello I have been looking for the pattern for a long time. I would really love it if u did a video. I sadly don’t understand the writing one. I know. So sad. But if u can pls take the time to make a video. I will be most happy. I’m trying to make it for my husband as a gift. I know he would love it if I could make it for him. Thank u very much.
Learn to read patterns, it will make you a better crocheter. There will never be a video for this pattern.
I have a file of reference photos for the purpose of designing one of these but to have the pattern for free is awesome! Thank you so much.
Hi, I know this is probably gonna sound really dumb but (particularly in the body I’ve noticed) when you say DC and TC, do you mean put two/three SC into one stitch or do you mean do an actual DC/TC? Because looking at the pictures of the doll there are no obvious gaps in it that DC/TC would create between them. Sorry, just a bit confused
Really awesome pattern and doll though.
don’t worry, i figured it out
As outlined in the terminology part of the pattern I mean actual Double Crochet and Triple or Treble Crochet stitches.
may be a silly question but is it possible to purchase one of your projects? they are really well made and id like a couple of you’re willing to sell
Sorry no, check the FAQ for more information as to why.
Hi! First off, BIG FAN, you are amazing! This one topped it all for me though as I am a huge Bioshock fan:) Just finished the pattern and am down to sewing on the arms, tank and knee-pads-VERY happy! Thank you so much for sharing your talent so freely:)
Hi There,
I’m getting ready to start one of these for my husband, and I have a question about colors.
On my monitor, Mr. Bubbles arms and legs look blue, but in the instructions, it says to use truffle?
I may be reading it wrong, but I also don’t see where the charcoal yarn is used.
Thanks for a great pattern!
Well, duh — charcoal and grey are the same thing, huh?
But it still looks really blue on my monitor….
I can’t say that I understand the question. The yarn used images are based on the actual names of the colours of yarn I have in my stash. I don’t always use the yarn colour name and sometimes refer to a generic colour like “grey” in a pattern, because any grey would do the trick.
It’s not blue yarn but if you’d like to pretend it is to aid in solving this monitor conundrum, by all mean please go ahead.
Emjay,
Sorry about the confusion — I shouldn’t plan projects late at night!
In the pattern where you use the grey (or charcoal) yarn, it looks almost denim colored on my monitor. Since that color yarn has been discontinued by the company (at least on their website) I wanted to verify that it was indeed grey and not blue.
Since my husband has been asking for one of these since he saw the pattern on a web forum, I want to get it right for him, and thought I’d ask. Thanks for taking the time to get back to me!
If you can find Country Blue in either Bernat Handicrafter Cotton or Lily Sugar & Creme, those both would be a very acceptable tradeoff for Charcoal. The doll in the actual game has blue arms and legs so a denim blue would work as well. Bernat Handicrafter Cotton, Lily Sugar & Cream and Peaches & Cream have denim colours so those are worth looking at.
Truffle is dark brown, charcoal was a dark grey. I didn’t use any blue yarn but monitor settings can affect how a colour looks on your screen so who knows.
I am in the process of making this for my grandson, (but have never played or seen the game myself) ~ my question is this: Is the main body stuffed or is it not stuffed to enable the various positions, once all the rest of the pieces are stitched to it? Could not find any reference to this in anything I have been able to search out. (I am really enjoying doing this!)
Thanks for your attention to this query!
Fran
It is stuffed. If you would like to make it poseable, you can use this technique to wire the limbs http://nerdigurumi.com/wiring-amirugumi-crochet-doll-limbs-tutorial.html
What brand of yarn are these colors from? Im trying to understand your pattern, to start the body it says SC x 6 does this mean I SC 6x into the ring?
Yes, SC 6 into the ring. The yarn I used are various brands, my stash is listed on the right hand menu. Some colours will be hard to find in those brands since they have been discontinued so you will need to make some substitutions.
hey i’m having a little trouble with crocheting the body, on round 5 it says ‘scx2, dc incx3, sc8’ but when i do this i seem to be missing two stitches everytime i re-do the body. Where am I going wrong?
was actually 2 stitches too many not 2 stitches missing.
Do this: SC x 2 (total of 2 stitches) DC INC x 3 (total of 6 stitches) SC x 7 (total of 7 stitches) = 15 stitches in total then repeat the entire sequences for 30 stitches in that round.
Hi again, I started the doll but im finding that the arms are coming out shorter than it should be in proportion to the body. Any idea as to why that would be happening?
Proportionately speaking the Big Daddy does have stubby arms however if you want to double check if yours are coming out correctly you can post a picture to imgur.com then link it in your comment reply and I can have a look.
I’m just having troubles knowing where exactly to continue the pattern. I get lost or mixed up. I’ve only just started crocheting and I’m trying to make this for a friend, but I probably should have started with something a little easier.
This is a fairly challenging pattern and a bit ambitious for a first/early on try. You may wish to try making a few simpler pieces and then coming back to this later on when you are more comfortable.
Hey, I’m wondering how much you would charge to make one of these. I’ve been struggling to figure out how to make it and basically don’t know what to do anymore. Let me know! Thanks
Hi there,
you might want to see if you can commission a crocheter from etsy that sells affordable quality work, because I don’t really have the time to take on a project like that. In all honesty to make it worth my while I would request at minimum $200 which is just ridiculous. But you know you might be able to figure out the problems you are having if you try. What’s your major roadblock at this point? Maybe I can help.
One question. How big dos this doll end up being? I have a few friends who absolutely love Bioshock and the Big Daddies. (And Mr. Bubbles) And I think that they would go insane over this. We have a club at school where we hang out and play video games. I usually bring in my latest crochet creation, and they would probably tear each other apart for a chance just to touch one of these.
Around 10 inches tall 😀
Could you explain how to do a truffle? I understand the rest of the pattern but have never heard that term before. A google search only comes up with chocolate truffles *lol*
Thank you
Truffle is the dark brown colour of yarn 😀
WOW. Shows how out-of-it I am, huh? *lol*
Thank you.
I’d like to ask if you would make one for me. I would pay for it. I’ve been looking for one since I noticed it in the game. All I can find are the other ones everyone seems to love. Mr. Bubbles is just way better though.
You did a great job !!
thanks a lot for sharing your creation, it’s almost perfect !!
OMG i love Big Daddy realy. Thanks for the great patter
Super Awesome! 😀
I am glad you are back!
Thanks for an awesome pattern