Gathering Rosebuds

"Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.” This is the first line of Robert Herrick’s 17th-century lyric poem “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time.” The poem is a reminder to young women that life passes quickly and that they should take advantage of the time they have. This message rings just as true today as it did over 350 years ago. With our long to-do lists, endless knitting queues, and busy schedules, it is easy to go about our days without realizing just how much time has passed. “Carpe diem,” “live in the moment,” “make hay while the sun shines,” or “gather ye rosebuds while ye may”—whichever expression you choose, embrace it and fill your knitting time with gratifying projects.

The body of the shawl is worked in stockinette stitch broken by occasional garter ridges to keep your interest as you travel toward the border. The ridges occur more frequently as you near the border, gently easing you into the reverse stockinette background of the rosebud border.