From the book “Deep South Knitting” and inspired by Birmingham, Alabama. Now available for download. Pattern includes Alabama travel info and Sweet Tea recipe.

While our friends in the North are digging out from winter snowstorms, in the Southern states, the dead of winter is interrupted by the blooming of camellias, resplendent in creamy white and shades of pink, emerging from the summer shelter of their glossy, green leaves. Grown all over the Deep South, camellias hold a special place in the heart of Alabamans, who have shown their exquisite taste in flowers by selecting it as their state flower. The Camellia Garden at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens is one of the best places to enjoy this Southern beauty. An intimate spot with a softly splashing fountain and camellia-adorned wrought iron benches, it’s the perfect spot to sit and enjoy this Southern charmer at its finest.

My sweet baby bunting and bonnet set celebrates both the camellia and the birth of a lucky baby girl. Knit in an incredibly soft (and machine washable!) blend of merino, cashmere and silk, its flower petal trim and soft colors evoke Alabama’s favorite flower. The snaps up the front allow easy in and out and the bottom can be left unsnapped and untied to strap the little angel into a car seat without removing the bunting. When the drawstring is pulled up, the bottom of the bunting becomes a flower. Worked in garter stitch with minimal shaping, this bunting is a surprisingly easy knit and is within the reach of an adventurous beginner.