This pattern is written for 8 ply, but can just as easily be used for 10 ply/worsted weight. The squares will be around 16cm using 5mm needles, and use 20-25g of yarn each.

Beginning with the simplest garter stitch square, progressing to simple and then more complicated knit/purl combinations, and finally introducing simple shaping, lace, cables and colour work, this blanket is a good way to practice a variety of knitting techniques.
The blanket pictured uses one each of the 16 designs included, but you could do any number or combination you choose.
You could personalise your blanket by working a coloured letter instead of a heart.