20 — Garnet Light
Reds family#86191D
Looking up Anchor 20? It's Garnet Light, a medium-dark red shade (#86191D / RGB 134, 25, 29). Scroll down for Crescent Colors, DMC, and Madeira equivalents ranked by visual similarity, plus 8 close Anchor alternatives and curated color harmonies.
About Anchor 20
Anchor Stranded Cotton Mouliné
- Fiber
- 100% cotton
- Sold as
- 8 m
Brand Equivalents for Anchor 20
The five closest matches in each brand, ranked by CIEDE2000 perceptual color difference.
DMC
Madeira
J&P Coates
Sullivans
Classic Colorworks
Weeks Dye Works
Gentle Art Sampler
Valdani
Crescent Colors
Similar Anchor Colors to 20
Closest Anchor threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with Anchor 20
It has moderate contrast on both light and dark fabric — usable on either, but test a few stitches on your chosen ground first.
With its high saturation, Anchor 20 (Garnet Light) draws the eye — a natural pick for focal motifs, small pops of color, and details you want to read first.
Anchor 20 (Garnet Light) sits a hair from Anchor 1015 (Mahogany Ultra Very Dark) (ΔE 2.73) — close enough to blend a strand of each for a smooth gradient or to swap one for the other in a pinch.
Color Harmonies for Anchor 20
Anchor threads that pair well with 20, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Reds Family
Anchor20 in context with nearby shades from the reds color family.
About Anchor 20
Known as Garnet Light, Anchor 20 is a medium-dark, vivid shade sitting in the reds family with warm crimson tones. Expect a intense and saturated look that suits bold accents, berries, and similar motifs. Cross stitch enthusiasts often reach for this thread when stitching valentines or poppies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anchor 20 — what color is it?
The color of Anchor 20 is Garnet Light — a medium-dark red thread (hex #86191D, RGB 134, 25, 29). It shows up most in barn scenes and tomato patterns.
What is the DMC equivalent of Anchor 20?
The closest DMC match for Anchor 20 (Garnet Light) is DMC 3777 (Terra Cotta very dark) with a 84% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include DMC 22 (Alizarin, 81%) and DMC 355 (Terra Cotta dark, 80%).
Which Anchor threads are close to 20?
The closest Anchor threads to 20 are 1015 Mahogany Ultra Very Dark (ΔE 2.73), 1005 Christmas Red Ultra Very Dark (ΔE 3.43), and 43 Garnet Medium (ΔE 4.06). These are useful substitutes when 20 is unavailable or for building gradients.
What is Anchor 20 good for?
Anchor 20 (Garnet Light) is commonly used in cross-stitch projects featuring barn scenes, tomato patterns, roses, hearts. Its medium-dark tone works well for standalone motifs and as part of larger palettes. This page includes color harmonies and similar shades to pair with 20.
What fabric color works best with Anchor 20 (Garnet Light)?
It has moderate contrast on both light and dark fabric — usable on either, but test a few stitches on your chosen ground first. For reference, 20 has a contrast ratio of about 9.7:1 on white fabric and 2.2:1 on black. As a warm shade, its warm cast advances toward the viewer — good for focal points, highlights, and cozy, inviting palettes.