The garter stitch beginning of this shawl is meant to symbolize the plain earth as it lies still, waiting for the sun to do its magic and bring forth the little flowers of spring.

The floral lace that flows out of the garter stitch is meant to mimic the way the flowers of spring pop up and stand out in contrast to the earth that seemed so fruitless only a month or two before.

Lastly the floral lace flows into an edging that looks like leaves is meant to evoke the canopy of leaves that eventually covers the sky in late spring, tiny at first but then larger and greener than ever before.
6/5/12 Written Lace 1 errata fixed
Row 3 repeat to 4 sts before center st (not 5)
Row 9 Work to 7 sts before center st (not 8) repeat to last 10 sts (not 11)

4/11/12 New Updated Version includes written lace instructions as well as charted lace instructions

7/15/10 New Updated Version with corrected BO and more stitch counts to make it easier to knit! Happy Knitting!