Yes, the "toe catchers" bothered me, too. But you can square off those squares, I think, and eliminate the open spaces. I assume she used a large needle (not a crochet needle) to pierce the fabric squares and create the blanket stitch, to which she then attached her crochet stitches.
It's an adorable blanket and something I may attempt. This would be cute using "I Spy" fabrics, or fussy cut squares for a toddler, I think.