update may 3, 2017, thanks entirely to sandcastlefaith:
the branching out section…

1, row 16, 2nd branch section has a k3 before so marker, you’ll want to nix that…

2nd, just a general FYI, row 6, before I knit, I put markers in, and ensured I had 19 stitches in each of branching out sections.

So, most of the ” repeat row 7” are fine; however, in row 13, you will purl 21 stitches in each branching out section instead of 25, and row 15, you will purl 19 instead of 25 in each branching out section. Et voila!

update december 30, 2016: very kind knitter sandcastlefaith messaged me to let me know that she’s run into some trouble. it doesn’t surprise me--this was way beyond my skill level when i wrote it. i’m so sorry to anyone who’s encountered this. here is what she says:

It’s the branches sections of the pattern…
1) is it really supposed to remain 25 stitches in that section after each row? I’ve ended up with 23 and 27 sometimes, and then just added/purled together stitches on the return to “fix” it, but then…
2) are there repeats missing? For example, row 14 (and it’s happened earlier too), I’ve had stitches left over in the section (as in, more than 4!)

i will try to knit this section again to see. i’ll update here when i have.
***

This is the first thing I’ve ever tried to design. It’s simple, and I certainly never thought I’d design a prayer shawl as my first object (I’ve had two sweater designs in my head for months waiting patiently to get onto paper and needles). But my dear friend Beth just miscarried twins; this is for her.

The seed stitch border represents fertility in her continued efforts to create a family with her husband. The fields of stockinette represent her soft place to fall and infinite possibilities. The leaves and branches, borrowed respectfully from Susan Pierce Lawrence’s beautiful Branching Out scarf (Knitty, Spring 2005), represent growth and healing. The fields of purling represent her bumpy road and tears dropped. The ridges of stockinette represent her family and friends steadfastly supporting her and her husband throughout their lives. The cables in the center represent her and her husband. Finally, the two rows of purling between the cables that wrap around them as they intertwine throughout the length of the piece represent the twins themselves, forever connected to her and her husband. I also added two daisy motifs about halfway up the stockinette fields to represent the twins and break up the fields; that’s optional.