Most basic squares

These are the simplest squares and a great starting point.  They also make quick "filler" squares, if you are making a large blanket, then a few simple striped or plain squares will help bulk out the blanket and are the quickest to knit.

Basic plain square

They don't come any simpler than this, however, with 2 or more different coloured wools you could still make a beautiful blanket without ever doing anything more complicated than knitting plain squares.

Cast on 37 stitches
Continue in stocking stitch (that is, normal knitting, a knit row followed by a purl row, followed by a knit row followed by a purl row etc etc) for 50 rows
Cast off!

Stripe square

Almost as simple as the plain square - simple stripes!

Choose two contrasting colours, and call them A and B

• Cast on 37 stitches in colour A
• Work 4 rows in stocking stitch (alternate between k and p rows)
• Change to B and continue for 4 more rows. (There is no need to cut the first colour off as you will always change colour on the same side, just make sure that it's not so tight that it's pulling the square out of shape when you next change colour)
• 4 rows in A
• 4 rows in B
• Continue until you have 48 rows (12 stripes)
• Cast off