I have been 'sampling' crocheted square designs from the recommended free patterns mentioned on SKG- thought you might be interested in my conclusions. Might help you choose the right ones for you.
Dreamcatcher a lovely design and quite easy. I found marking rows good idea.
Carousel is a good firm design and fairly easy.
Dreamcatcher11 I didn't care for- too much fuss weaving.
Country Square a beautiful soft square BUT I had to do a few 'start agains'.
Victorian square- romantic but very open design and not so easy.
Beth's Star wrap is a gorgeous baby wrap- star shaped and very easy. Not strictly a square but worth mentioning. I'm making one for great grandaughter
on the way.

I haven't crocheted for some time and am having a ball trying new designs- get crocheting it's fun.

Thanks for the review of those patterns, nanrobbo :) .

I've just had a look at the Beth's Star Wrap. It's really lovely. It doesn't look too difficult either (there doesn't seem to be a great deal of 'holes'), so I might give that one a go. I haven't attempted to follow a crochet pattern yet or done any decreasing/increasing; I've done sample blocks of the basic stitches, but that's all.

I'm looking for a thickish blanket type thing to make for the cats' Christmas presents (don't laugh), and that one would do nicely.