I am making a griddle stitch blanket for a Christmas gift. What border would you suggest?

Last month I went on my first yarn crawl in Arkansas. This past week went on my 2nd yarn crawl - the inaugural Oklahoma yarn crawl. Had so much fun, spent waaaayyyy too much and built some fun memories. Bought enough yarn between the two crawls for 6 projects plus some unknown future ones 😂 the first picture is my Arkansas purchases and the second one is the Oklahoma haul. 

I live in Oklahoma and recently discovered that Arkansas has a yarn crawl every year. My husband and I had a part one crawl this weekend and next weekend we will finish the crawl. It’s been fun!  Here is a picture of this weekends purchases. I purchased all with specific projects in mind but still spent more than I needed to!! 🤪🥰😂. Really fun memories and great purchases supporting local dyers and businesses. 

Bags are packed. Car is loaded.   Hopefully I didn’t forget anything - one thing for sure - I remembered my WIPs!  Working on my first square of the sampler blanket CAL - a little behind.  Also brought 5 other projects. Heading to Niagara Falls and Toronto. 

Happy 4th of July!🎆

First tee completed!  Just finished my first garment.   I am pleased with it for the most part. I see some mistakes but for my first attempt I am very happy with it!

Gauge question….. my gauge is 10cm = 18 dc and 8 rows = 10cm. 

My 18 dc matches. But my rows do not. What do I do?  How do I adjust?

Question on blocking. I am making my first garment. The fiber is cotton/bamboo and is machine washable. The pattern says to block but I have also been told that blocking isn’t as important when fibers are machine washable. So…. Block or not?