Name chosen because I liked the alliteration in the name, as well as the animal/DNA references. Ara Ararauna (Blue and Yellow Macaw) and Allele (DNA).

This yarn is a light fingering, so I’m getting more stitches to the inch than I normally would. On US 0, the guage is 9.5 stitches to the inch; on US 1, it’s 9 stitches to the inch. Although the tighter guage is a bit nicer for the yarn, I’m going with guage on US 1 needle since the math works out better for the pattern. I typically cast on 64 stitches for my size 8.5 feet, but will cast on 72 to end up with the right size sock.

Mods:
I cast on 72 stitches, but on round 27 of the charted pattern on the leg, I decreased to 68 stitches. Decreases: Knit to 3 stitches before pattern, k2tog, k1, work pattern, k1, k2tog. Repeat for second pattern section.

Cuff: When joining new color, I knit even the first round, then on the second round, went back to Ktbl, P. This was accidental on the first sock, but I liked it; it eliminated the color “blip” that would have been visible had I not done it this way.

Heel flap: Knit to row 34; begin heel turn.

Heel turn: Only change here is to Slip 1, Knit 19, continue as written. Ended with 20 stitches across heel.

Foot: Ended on row 19 of charted pattern before continuing to toe set-up round.

Toe: Knit slip stitch without decreasing for 5 rounds; decrease on round 6. Work 10 rounds total per color.

I used less than 1/2 a skein of each color for this pattern.

The parrot photo is in the public domain. I checked to be sure I am not violating a copyright.