My finished sweater - using a friend's directions of just 'pick up and knit 3 of every 4 stitches' at neck, etc. The buttoned side of the sweater is on the opposite shoulder from the pattern's pics (as a result of left-handed knitting). The neckline stitches got a bit sloppy because of several attempts to do it. 3rd photo is an earlier attempt to alter the directions as written for picking up stitches and finishing the neck.
Many thanks to all who responded and offered help! You folks rock

Pat aka Paninky