Lady's Bomber Jacket in Sirdar Alpine - 8281 - Downloadable PDF

Lady's Bomber Jacket in Sirdar Alpine – Pattern 8281

This knitting pattern from Sirdar provides instructions for a Lady's Bomber Jacket, a classic, relaxed-fit outerwear piece worked in the brand's chunky Alpine yarn. Designed with a generous, oversized silhouette typical of the bomber jacket style, this project is rated as intermediate in difficulty, making it an excellent step up for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and are ready to tackle garment construction with multiple components. The pattern number is 8281 and it is available as a downloadable PDF.

Sizing and Fit

The pattern covers a wide range of sizes, making it accessible to many knitters. Sizes are given to fit the following bust measurements:

• 81/86 cm (32/34 in)
• 91/97 cm (36/38 in)
• 102/107 cm (40/42 in)
• 112/117 cm (44/46 in)
• 122/127 cm (48/50 in)
• 132/137 cm (52/54 in)

The actual finished measurements are generously cut, ranging from 118 cm (46½ in) up to 165 cm (65 in) across the chest, reflecting the relaxed, boxy bomber jacket aesthetic. Full length ranges from 56 cm (22 in) to 66 cm (26 in), measured from the back of the neck. Sleeve length is given as approximately 41–43 cm (16–17 in) and is noted as adjustable, allowing knitters to personalise the fit.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a women's bomber jacket knitted in a DK-weight yarn on large needles, which produces a wonderfully textured, substantial fabric with a soft drape. The bomber jacket silhouette features a straight body, set-in or shaped sleeves, and a structured front opening. A notable design detail included in the construction is a divided pocket, worked by casting on stitches and placing remaining stitches on a stitch holder — a technique that creates an integrated, neat pocket within the body of the jacket. The front opening is fastened with 4 oversized press fasteners, giving the jacket a clean, modern finish without the need for buttonholes.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs a range of knitting techniques that place it firmly in the intermediate category:

• Thumb method cast-on – used for the initial cast-on and also when casting on stitches mid-row for the pocket construction; this method produces a neat, elastic edge well suited to a garment worked on large needles
• Stocking stitch – the primary fabric of the jacket, worked by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side, creating a smooth, classic knitted surface
• Shaping through casting off and decreasing – used to shape the armholes, sleeves, and other structural areas of the garment; stitches are cast off loosely at the beginning of rows to create gradual, clean shaping
• Stitch holders – used to hold live stitches while other sections are worked, particularly during the pocket division and when setting aside sections for later joining
• Working on separate needle sections – the pocket construction involves leaving stitches on a spare needle and returning to them, a technique that requires confidence in managing multiple live stitch sections simultaneously
• Loose cast-off – the pattern specifically instructs knitters to cast off loosely in several places, which is important when working with a heavier yarn to maintain the drape and elasticity of the finished edges
• Tension/gauge checking – the pattern places strong emphasis on achieving the correct tension before beginning, a critical step in garment knitting

Stitches Used

• Knit (k) – the foundational stitch used throughout
• Purl (p) – worked on wrong-side rows to create stocking stitch fabric
• Stocking stitch – the main fabric