I can't stand high collars and most knitting patterns for sweaters have close collars. Does anybody know of a surefire way to drop the neckline?

I've looked at online resources, but they all seem to contradict each other. I'm on the spectrum and I can't stand stuff around my neck for extended periods of time, so no necklaces, no turtlenecks, and nog close collars you see on most knitted sweaters. I've found patterns for v-necks, but I really like the look of a lower round neckline, and I can't find how to alter patterns to accomodate this. The picture is the absolute highest neckline I'll wear, and that one is on the edge.

Does the lovely knitting collective have any resources and/or ideas?