The Tree of Life Through the Seasons is a set of five fichu patterns depicting the Tree in spring, summer, autumn, winter, and paradise. The basic outline, a crescent with a wide lace edge at the hem, remains the same for all five. The difference is in the details - what surrounds the tree? How dense are the leaves? How much has the trunk grown? What type of edge detail fits each season?

Each fichu begins at the back of the neck and is increased on every right side row until the fabric forms a wide crescent. The stitches are left on the needle without binding off. The lace edging is knit sideways and attached as you go, so no sewing is necessary and the hem remains elastic. Mix and match to create your own shawl: because the lace edge is knit on sideways, you can use the chart for any lace edging with any of the body patterns.

Each of the patterns included in the collection is available separately, but if you want the best value, purchase the pattern collection. The 29-page PDF includes all five patterns for the price of four, plus an introduction and extra photos of each shawl. Each fichu pattern in the collection includes charts for the border lace, the entire body of the shawl and color photographs.