Crochet Bomber Style Sweater Jacket

The bomber jacket style which emerged during World War 1, is traditionally a waist length outerware with ribbed waistband and matching cuffs.  Typically, bombers are made with leather, but other materials can be used as well. The childsized bomber jacket is a crocheted version using worsted weight  (#4) yarn with a J hook (6.0 mm).  The bomber jacket pattern featured in this article was developed by Heart Hook Home and comes in sizes 3/6 months to 12/14.  Since this sweater is shorter and narrower than most patterns. use the chest measurement chart to determine the size you will make.

The pattern link is connected to a specific size, but once you get to the sweater page, you can scroll down until you find the size that you need. See: https://hearthookhome.com/bomber-cardi-for-kids-size-6-8.  I used the size 4-5 pattern for the beige sweater and the 6-8 size pattern for the aquamarine zippered version.

A wonderful feature of this bomber cardigan is that it is almost seamless. Start with the Foundation Half Double Crochet stitch for the entire width of the sweater, including both sides and the back. For directions on making the foundation HDC, see a You Tube video by Moogly:  How to Crochet Foundation HDC Right Hand.  The advantage of using the Foundation Half Double Crochet Stitch is that you combine the initial chain with the first row in a single step. At this point you will chain 1, turn, and use a regular HDC until the end of the row. You will do this at the end of each row.  Just follow the size pattern for the correct number of rows.  If you want a longer jacket, just add a couple of rows before you separate for the front and back sections.

Then continue for the right front.  Instructions show how to form the armhole and neck shape. Fasten off and leave tail for attaching sweater at the shoulder. Reattach yarn to crochet matching number of rows for back.  Finally, form left front as you reverse for armhole and neck. Sew sweater together at shoulders. I preferred to used a slip stitch or SC on these seams. Follow directions to form a flat round collar that is typical of most bomber jackets.

To achieve the ribbing at the collar, waist, and sleeves, crochet alternating Front Post Half Double Crochet  (FPHDC) with Back Post Half DoubleCrochet.  The number of rows depends on the sweater size. See You Tube Video Crochet Stitch:  Front andBack Post Half Double Crochet.

The sleeves of the bomber jacket are also seamless. Pick up the required number of stitches at the armhole and HDÇ in the round.  Directions for number of rows and decreases are given in the directions for each size.  At the end of the sleeve, you will use the FPHDC/BPHDC technique for the ribbing.. 

While my cardigans were made for girls, the style can be changed for boys by reversing the sides for the buttons and buttonholes. Adding a separating zipper is a wonderful sporty look for both boys and girls. Doing a professional job when adding a zipper to a sweater has its own set of challenges.  Again, I went back to You Tube.  See:  How to Add a Zipper for a Crocheted Cardigan.  
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The pattern directions called for a plain edge, but I added two rows of HDC to each front edge to make a band that enabled me to sew in the zipper.  The video shows you how to add in two rows of HDC behind this band so that you can encase the zipper neatly. Although the video was easy to follow, I found myself replaying it a few times and pausing when I reached tricky steps.

I really enjoyed crocheting the Bomber Cardi for Kids.  Many thanks to Heart Hook Home.com for their wonderful pattern. The sweaters came out much narrower than I expected. My petite size 4-5 granddaughter was able to wear the size 6-8 over her sweatshirt.  Perhaps, I may try using a K hook (6.5mm) to get a looser stitch in the future. Anyway, this little miss was pleased to give us a fashion show and strike her delightful poses.

As always, I welcome your feedback and reflections.  I hope that you enjoy making the bomber cardigan as much as I did.  Thank you for joining me on my stitching journey.