cowl neck issues

[divagirl]

I am almost done with the Placed Cable Aran sweater, and so ready cross it off the to-finish list! It is my first adult sweater and I am very proud - my gauge is right, it is blocked to perfections, my measurements are exact. Until the dang cowl neck. I finished it last night and went to pull it over my head to see how it would hang. It's more like a big scrunchy knitted tube...nothing like the graceful, drapey cowl neck that is in the picture. What should I do now? My stitch count is right and I used a needle 2 sizes larger to bind off to keep it from being too tight.
I thought about maybe ripping it back and using a larger needle (i need a 16" 10 1/2 circ. for another project. I will have it by Friday) to finish it. Any suggestions? I am really bummed aobut this.