pattern shmattern

I have tons of admiration for those who can follow a crochet pattern.  That amigurumi stuff, holey moley!!!  My brain hurts just thinking about it.  I have no trouble following a knitting pattern but crochet throws me for an absolute loop.  I have trouble counting the 'chains', everything.  I was able to follow a pattern for crocheting a 'granny square' once but anything else I attempt turns into one knotty mess.   That's not to say I can't crochet, I can crochet quite nicely without a pattern.  For quite sometime I've been puttering away at a hat (sans pattern - just a nice double chain all the way). 

The yarn I used is a mercerized cotton from Elann.  It was very nice to crochet with.  Now, the hat is done but it needs a big flower for the final touch.  I've made several attempts at following a pattern for the flower and I give up...I'm going to just trust in myself and wing it. 

Some fellow knaughty knitters (thanks al & em) once did a demonstration (without a pattern) and I made a flower with some success so I'm sure that's still tucked in the brain somewhere.  I've checked out some flickr pics for inspiration and am determined to have the hat completed by next week!!!  I do enjoy winging things but there are some really cute crochet things that I'd love to make which require reading a pattern...has anybody come across a nice full crochet flower pattern that is straightforward??? I'm in need of another demo.