Considering cable flare and sewing together the squares. I think I’m going to add a small seed stitch border with only 40 sts and increase just before starting the cables.

CO 40 sts using k/p long tail cast on
2 seed stitch rows
2 seed stitch border stitches on right and on left
increase 10 stitches total (1 increase for each 4 st cable and 2 increases for each 8 stitch cable on the row just before the first cable crossing for each.

6/10/201: First square came out very square. YAY Will take this project to knitting retreat.

7/4/2014: all squares are finished.

crocheting around edge
31 sc on each side- 3 in each corner - don’t count the center stitch. mark each center stitch to help line up for joining. (16 yards of yarn held double per square)

joining: a version of reverse single crochet that I unvented:

using double yarn, and J crochet hook, working from left to right, wrong sides together, enter a sc from each block pull up a loop (two loops on hook) turn crochet hook 180 deg, clockwise, pull up a loop, pull through both loops repeat from * to * (work three in row and then skip a sc and work three more)

I also used the same technique to go around the outside border. (work into 5 sc and then skip one, around)

To block, I sprayed a generous amount of water all over the front and back of the blanket and then tossed it in the dryer for 30 minutes. Relaxed, softened and looks read to go!

(note to self: If I make this again, I would try w/o the seed stitch border. I would still cast on 40 and add 10 stitches in appropriate spots to help control cable flare)