Interesting to see such a specific question, because my first proper project (after learning different stitches by making myself a random sampler rectangle) was in fact a boat neck sweater! Specifically $5 in Paris by Anna Maliszewski (Ravelry link / designer site)

Really if you’re ok with doing basic shaping like increases and decreases then something like this is fairly simple to follow. But I’d add an important caveat:

Despite this project going fine the first time round, I had to entirely frog it and remake the whole thing. Why? Because I literally just followed the pattern. I didn’t know anything about how to adjust a pattern to fit MY body, and I have really wide hips with a short waist so it turns out that’s important for me to know. Sometimes you can get lucky and find a sweater pattern designed for a body shape like your own, but a lot of the time you will need to be making adjustments here and there.

So I think it’s that side of things rather than how complicated the patterns actually are, that can be a big problem for newbies. If that makes sense?

Even the second time round this didn’t turn out to be super flattering anyway, but I did learn a lot and it was made from cheap yarn so no regrets. I guess the question is, are you the type to appreciate the learning experience or the type to freak out if it doesn’t go perfectly right?