Gauge is not really important for this project.

From Etsy store description:

My first nephew was born recently, and I had to crochet him something fun! A Pancake Lovey! Loveys typically have some kind of cute doll-like head attached to a security blanket. My version has a happy, sleepy butter pat pillow buddy sewn to a security pancake!

I would say that you should be an advanced beginner with crochet and fairly familiar with reading crochet patterns and working in the round.