Knitted in the round this is an easy pattern if you already know how to knit stranded colorwork and this pattern assumes that you do know how to knit stranded colorwork. If you have not knitted stranded colorwork before then this is an experienced level pattern.

Instructions are given for head sizes 18” (46 cm), 21” (53 cm), and 23” (58 cm). These correspond to child, small adult and medium-large adult sizes.

Fingering weight yarn.
The sample was knitted with Jubilee Yarn Galaxy Fantasy/Happy Sheep Magic Sock Wool
BC: (background color), LC: (lizard color)
Size 18” (46 cm), BC 85 yds (78 m), LC 38 yds (35 m)
Size 21” (53 cm), BC 92 yds (84 m), LC 43 yds (39 m)
Size 23” (58 cm), BC 109 yds (100 m), LC 47 yds (43 m)

The frilled lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii), also known as the frill-necked lizard or the frilled dragon, is a large, tree-dwelling lizard found in Northern Australia and Papua New Guinea. It is the largest species of dragon family of lizards in Australia, growing up to 3 feet (90 cm) long. When fleeing from danger, they run upright on their hind legs. The frill, which can be yellow, red or orange, is important for intimidating a threat, but it also helps regulate body temperature by increasing the area exposed to the sun, and the better the display, the easier to find a mate.
A goanna is any of several Australian monitor lizards of the genus Varanus. Around 30 species of goanna are known, 25 of which are found in Australia, where they have an important place in history and culture. They were an important traditional native food source and are commonly represented in Aboriginal Dreamtime stories. The largest is the Perentie (V. giganteus), which grows up to 8 ft (2.5 m) long, and the smallest: the Short-tailed Monitor (V. brevicuda), grows to just 8” (20 cm). They can live up to 40 years. Like most lizards, goannas lay eggs and mostly live on the ground and dig holes for nests or burrows, but some species lay their eggs inside termite mounds. The termite mound provides protection and keeps the eggs at a constant temperature as they incubate. Additionally, the termites may provide a meal for the young as they hatch.
Depending on where you are in Australia, the species known as Tiliqua rugosa might be called by any one of its colorful common names: shingleback, bobtail, two-headed lizard, boggi, stumpy-tailed lizard, pinecone lizard, and, of course, the sleepy lizard. Sleepy lizards can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) long and have a chunky, wedge-shaped head, thick scales, and tiny legs that stick out from either side of their body. Perhaps their most notable feature is their short, thick tail, which contains fat reserves to help the lizard survive harsh droughts. When threatened, they open their mouths in a wide, menacing gape and flick their dark blue tongue in an attempt to frighten predators. Sleepy lizards can live for up to 50 years, and they spend much of their lives alone. But each spring, they reunite with their partners to mate. These partnerships can last for decades; one pair of lizards in a study was still together after 27 years. Sleepy lizards don’t lay eggs like other reptiles; they give birth to live young. They mostly eat plants, berries and flowers (yellow blossoms are a favorite). Every once in a while, they will also feed on snails, insects or spiders, so they are great buddies for the garden.
Geckos are found on every continent except Antarctica, and live in almost every warm habitat, including rain forests, deserts and mountains. They are famous for the chirping sounds that they use to communicate with other geckos. No other lizards do this. Score lines on their tails allow them to snap off quickly if a predator grabs them. Then they regenerate their tail. Their eyes are large and unblinking (no eyelids) with vertical pupils. Their toes have microscopic hairs called setae that give them ‘sticky’ feet, allowing them to climb up slick surfaces and hang upside down on ceilings where they are happy to snap up insects.