Aviator Jacket in Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash® Aran - A359 - Downloadable PDF

Aviator Jacket in Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash® Aran – Pattern A359 Summary

This free, downloadable PDF knitting pattern from the Cascade Yarns® Design Team delivers a classic children's Aviator Jacket worked in the beloved Cascade Yarns® 220 Superwash® Aran yarn. Rated Experienced in skill level, this project is a rewarding challenge for confident knitters who enjoy structured garment construction with polished, professional results. The jacket is sized for children ages 4, 6, 8, and 10, with finished chest circumferences ranging from 30 to 36 inches and body lengths from 13 to 19 inches, making it a versatile wardrobe staple that can grow with a child over several seasons.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a children's aviator-style jacket featuring a structured silhouette inspired by classic flight jacket aesthetics. It is designed to close with a separating zipper — sized at 12, 14, or 16 inches depending on the child's size — giving it a functional, sporty finish. The two-color design uses a primary color for the body and a contrasting accent color for detail work, creating a visually striking garment that is both practical and stylish for everyday wear.

Yarn and Materials

• Cascade Yarns® 220 Superwash® Aran — 100% Superwash Merino Wool, 100 g (3.5 oz) per skein, approximately 150 yards (137.5 m) per skein
• Color A: #873 Extra Crème Café — 4 (5, 6, 6) skeins, used as the main body color
• Color B: #273 Carafe — 1 skein across all sizes, used as a contrasting accent color
• US 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles for ribbing or smaller-gauge sections
• US 9 (5.5 mm) knitting needles for the main pattern stitch sections
• A separating zipper in the appropriate length for each size
• A stitch holder and yarn needle for construction and finishing

220 Superwash® Aran is a particularly well-suited yarn for a children's garment. The Superwash Merino Wool treatment means the finished jacket can be machine washed, which is an enormous practical benefit for kids' clothing. Merino wool provides natural warmth, softness against the skin, and excellent stitch definition — all qualities that enhance the textured pattern stitch used throughout this design.

Techniques Used

This pattern is classified as Experienced level, meaning knitters should be comfortable with garment shaping, working across multiple needle sizes, reading multi-row stitch patterns, and seaming finished pieces together. Key construction techniques include:

• Two-needle flat knitting — the jacket is worked back and forth in rows rather than in the round
• Garment shaping — including increases and decreases for sleeve shaping and body structure across four sizes
• Two-color knitting — incorporating Color A and Color B for contrast detailing
• Seaming and finishing — joining knitted panels using a yarn needle for a clean, structured result
• Zipper installation — sewing in a separating zipper for the front closure, a finishing skill that elevates the garment's professional appearance
• Stitch holder use — placing live stitches on hold during construction, commonly used at necklines or armhole sections

Stitches Used

The body of the jacket is worked in a defined pattern stitch that creates a subtle, textured ribbed fabric with excellent visual interest and structural integrity. The stitch pattern is as follows:

• Row 1 (Right Side): K2, *K1, P1; repeat from *, ending K2
• Row 2 (Wrong Side):