I feel like I've knit half the stole already! After consideration, I'm going with the 3rd swatch (#6s). I really love the look of the 2nd swatch, but at 5" for 35 stitches and Melanie indicating there would not be allowance for extra pattern repeats (whine but I'd only need one more /whine), I know I wouldn't be in the ballpark for the finished width of about 20".
I picked up some great beads from here - metallic dark blue iris - think of oil with the rainbow sheen on the surface.
I just hope I get the first clue before I leave on the Chicken Vacation.