The pictured shawl used 8 oz of 4 ply fingering yarn.

The pattern does not describe the cast on and first 12 rows, but begins when 72 stitches are on the needles. The book gives other instructions for circular cast on and first 12 rows; they’re just not included in this pattern.

From the book:
This shawl is worked from the center outward with lines of increase along rays worked in stockinette stitch, making them look much like the spokes of a wheel against the patterned background. The advantage of the rays method of increase is that it lies perfectly flat without blocking. Therefore, this shawl can be made with unblockable synthetic yarn.