Ingeborg is DONE!

It was incredibly difficult to get a good modeled shot. I think there's something wonky with the camera, in that I couldn't get it to focus well when using the timer. Hopefully these are good enough.

pattern - Ingeborg, from Dale of Norway book 126 (smallest size)
yarn - Brown Sheep Naturespun sport
pattern alterations - I ignored row gauge, because you can with this pattern. (Just knit to the length you like, and pay close attention to sleeve increases.) I used steeks to shape the neckline, instead of knitting back and forth as the pattern tells you to do. I also eliminated the texture patterning on the hems, because I thought it might make the sweater look too busy. And I obviously opted to not do the lace edging, either.
what I'd do differently next time - I might consider doing the texture pattern on the hems next time. Maybe. I'll also make sure to bind off the shoulder stitches before steeking.
things I learned - I don't even know where to begin. I learned that blocking wires are helpful, but still don't take all the work out of blocking accurately. I learned that machine sewn steeks are very secure, and can be very flexible and stretchy when done correctly. I learned that advanced patterns like this might not tell you every detail, such as reminding you to pick up stitches for the button bands so that they overlap with the collar and hem. Perhaps most importantly, I learned that stuff like this really isn't brain surgery. This point was hammered home as I worked on hems last night while listening to an interview with a brain surgeon on Fresh Air.

I'm so overwhelmed right now that I feel like there are a few billion things I want to say but can't bring to mind. So... do you have any questions? Any photo requests? I'll leave it here, because I'm tired. I rushed to finish today so I can take Ingeborg to the knitting group tonight. But what I really want, now, is a nap.