Crochet experiment

I wanted to try joining the little squares together with dc. It's come out ok though I can detect a few issues, but I'm new to this so practise makes perfect.

I needed to block out the squares first but didn't as it seems such a palaver. I wonder if putting a damp t-cloth on top, then ironing would have been better than nothing, or not a good idea? Is it blocking or nothing?

I'm going to make it larger and give it to my little nieces for a dolly blanket.