Need Advice on Measuring

Hi all! I am going to try to make my very first sweater. I still am unable to read a pattern, but I think I finally understand the basics of sweater construction. So I’m going to make my own design to see if I can figure it out.
I’m going to make a top-down raglan cardigan with a v-neck for my granddaughter. I’m modifying a pattern that knits the collar band first. Then picks up stitches on the collar to begin the body of the sweater. Then the whole sweater is knitted top down, without having to pick up ANY more stitches. The pattern is with much bigger yarn than I’m using, so I need help with measurements.
I don’t know how long to make the intial collar for a v-neck. My granddaughter’s neck circumference is 10-1/2". I just don’t know where the collar should end. Should it be near the front of the collarbones, or should it end just in front of the shoulder line? And I’m a little unsure about exactly where to place the raglan markers. Can someone give me a ratio or percentage of a circle (the neck) to figure out these measurements?

This is so adventurous of you. It may help to look at patterns on Ravelry that are similar to the design you’re thinking of. Even if you have trouble reading patterns, they may help as you design your own.
Elizabeth Zimmerman has a percentage system that works wonderfully well and is worth consulting.
https://tutorials.knitpicks.com/percentage-system/
Ann Budd has a very helpful book which is in many public libraries. It covers several kinds of sweater designs and gauges.
https://annbuddknits.com/books/the-knitters-handy-book-of-sweater-patterns-basic-designs-in-multiple-sizes-and-gauges/

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If you go to Ravelry, there’s a free pattern you can download and sounds like exactly what you’re looking for:

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You might also want to take a look at this page. They are improv patterns/directions for 6 different types of top-down (v-nec, crew-neck, cardigan, etc)

https://fringeassociation.com/tag/free-patterns/

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Jahneen. I am so impressed you are going to do this. I almost never make anything exactly as written and I think I’d like to know how others tackled this first. Very ambitious! Best of luck and you must keep us posted on your project.

But ya know even if you have to redo a few things’ it will be a real keepsake/treasure for your granddaughter!