I crochet loosely and my stitches tend to be a little tall. Gauge is not crucial in something like this. There are so many options for these squares!

https://youtu.be/VKG_M__Ysb0

I would do 24 squares, 8x3 to make a rectangle shawl.
12 squares / 4x3, could make a nice baby blanket.
Just measure your square once finished, put as many together to get the width that you want and the length that you want.
Make a front and back for a sweater, connect at shoulder, connect at side leaving armholes, crochet sleeves if you want.
Make a lap / wheelchair throw or a couch throw/afghan.
Use the pattern to make washcloths, pillow covers. There are so many options.

Approx 7 1/2”

Supplies
* US I-9/5.50
Red heart with love, approximately 1 oz, 53 yds, 48m, 28 g

Stitches You need to know

Magic circle, (or CH3 and slip stitch to make circle and continue)
SC, single crochet
DC, double crochet
HDC, half double crochet
FPDC, front post double crochet
BPHDC, back post half double crochet
BPSC, back post single crochet
Crochet in back and third loop (insert your hook into back loop, tilt your work toward you and you will see a smaller half bar/loop underneath. Insert your hook into that stitch as well. This gives your stitch a little bit more stability than using back loop only.)
3DCluster (same as 3DC together in same stitch) (yarn over, insert hook into loop, pull up a loop, yarn over pull through two loops, yarn over insert hook into same loop, pull up a loop, yarn over pull through two loops, and repeat till you have four loops, yo and pull through all four loops, CH1 to close.
Into the legs of a stitch=when you look underneath the two top loops, you will see a V in the front which is called the legs of the stitch. Insert your hook In the middle of that V.