The Bomber Jacket

The Bomber Jacket by Margot Taylor

What is Being Made

The Bomber Jacket is a knitted cardigan-style top designed by Margot Taylor, available in three sizes to fit 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months old infants. This project creates a classic bomber-style jacket with a ribbed waistband, contrasting color stripe detail, and button closure, making it a versatile layering piece for babies.

Techniques Used

This knitting project employs fundamental shaping and construction techniques appropriate for intermediate knitters. The garment is built using the classic method of knitting flat pieces separately before assembly. Key techniques include casting on to establish the foundation stitches, ribbed edging for the waistband and cuffs, stocking stitch as the primary fabric texture, strategic decreasing at the armholes by casting off stitches at the beginning of rows, and shaping the neckline by dividing stitches and working shoulders separately. The pattern incorporates a contrasting color stripe worked into the ribbed section, adding visual interest to the finished jacket. Assembly requires seaming the pieces together and button attachment for the front closure.

Stitches Used

• Knit Stitch (K): The fundamental stitch forming the primary fabric
• Purl Stitch (P): Used in combination with knit stitches to create the 2x2 ribbed pattern
• Ribbed Pattern (K2, P2): A 2x2 rib repeat worked over multiple rows to create elasticity at the waistband and edges
• Stocking Stitch: The main fabric texture, created by alternating knit rows and purl rows
• Casting Off: Used to secure stitches and create finished edges, including armhole shaping
• Increases and Decreases: Referenced in the abbreviation list for potential shaping adjustments

Materials

This pattern calls for Bendigo Woollen Mills Classic 8ply knitting wool, a DK weight yarn. Each size requires 1 ball of 200g in the Main color and 1 ball of 200g in a Contrast color, allowing for creative color combinations. Knitters will need 4.00mm knitting needles for the main fabric and a tapestry needle for seaming the pieces together and weaving in yarn ends. The finished garment is fastened with 4 buttons, which should be selected to complement the chosen yarn colors.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches over 10 centimeters when worked on 4.00mm needles in stocking stitch. Maintaining this gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements across all three infant sizes. The pattern provides stitch counts for each size, with the back piece beginning at 54, 58, or 62 stitches depending on the chosen size.