This is a lovely pattern! The use of ssk & k2tog decreases while working the short rows results in a nice detail that would be missed with “standard” short rows using wrap & turns or yarn overs to fill the gap. While knitting the shawl, I thought it would have too few beads, but I think the number and placement of beads accents the design perfectly!

I listed the difficulty as medium (one a step above easy) because IMO, working up from a picot cast-on of 227 stitches is more difficult than working a top-down shawl with a standard CO or building the shawl from a garter-stitch tap. It is more difficult to see the stitches and one does not have the weight of the shawl to open up the lace.

Firsts for me: this type of picot CO and project with beads. Used 6/0 seed beads: Dyna-Mites, transparent lilac.
4/8/13: my first test knit. Very excited. Have wanted to use this yarn since I purchased it when visiting family in Upstate NY.

Alternate cast on for fewer picots: Using knitted cast on –

CO 1 extra stitch at the beginning and at the end.
For each 25-stitch repeat:
CO 5, bind off 2; CO 6, bind off 2; (CO 8, bind off 2) x2 ; CO 6, bind off 2; CO 2; place marker. Repeat 16 times for total of 227 stitches.

Chart is very easy to follow. I fidled a bit with the first few rows; smooth sailing once the pattern started to build.

Measurements after blocking –
46.5” from point to point across top of crescent
16.5” from middle of crescent to bottom tip of center point
9.75” each side of crescent
(Typical for me: forgot to measure before blocking.)

Second photo from top is most true to color.