Knitting pattern help

[Spudlet]

I want to knit my son a Duggee hat, with the leftover wool I have from knitting him a Duggee toy (a theme is running through my knitting at the moment...). One a bit like thIs:

pin.it/oznck4a5jqiucl

The embellishment and the ears will be fine as I can reuse the appropriate bits from the toy pattern, but not sure how to start with the hat? I can't find a basic flat knit hat pattern online, they are all fancy or ribbed. Does anyone have one - or shall I just do a gauge square and give it a go? How will I know when to start shaping and things? I've never knitted anything more complex than a scarf without a pattern!

Getting ds to wear a hat last winter was a nightmare but hehad and loved a Duggee sunhat this year, so I'm hoping a wooly hat might be equally well received. But I don't know where to begin, really

Ribbing will help it stay on and not curl.

But here are some which don't seem to have any (disclaimer - I'm looking at them on a small screen so they might have):
www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wag-the-dog
www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dog-hat-baby-toddler-child
www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/berry-baby-hat
www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pumpkin-hat-32

Have a look at some YouTube tutorials about knitting magic loop on circular needles for small circumferences. You'll have more choice of free patterns and no seams if you can knit in the round. Just practice. Knitting the first two rounds on straight needles then joining in the round helps avoid twisted stitches.

Tin Can Knits offer lots of simple patterns for free, either via ravelry or through their website.