You can choose the downloadable PDF version of the pattern or the hard copy printed out and mailed -- it is your choice. 

*****

This is a very (very) lovely piece by Nim Teasdale, based quite loosely on the amazing Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. 

(I highly recommend you take a look at the Project Page of GGailG for some great quotes from the books.)

This design, Don't Panic, started out as a Mystery KAL.  Well, the mystery is long over and the finished shawl is so very striking.

Nim writes:

Don’t Panic is a generous semi-circular shawl designed as an MKAL. It has lots of mostly harmless lace, beads if you want them, and an ending that can go on and on and on.

The design has five distinct parts to reflect the The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. To keep the element of surprise in the design, the pattern has been separated into these parts, however each requires more knitting than the last.

It will suit lace to fingering weight.

The design has several possible ending points, and the outer edging can be extended for many, many rows, so the shawl can use anywhere from 488m/533y to over 1000m/1100y.

Beads

Nim tells me that this uses 277 beads in total for this design, 34 beads per wedge plus 5 at the side.

The beads should be either size 6/0 or an equivalent (such as 4mm megatamas or 4x4 cubes or even 5/0 triangles).