231 — Shell Grey Light
Pinks family#C9B5B1
Need details on Anchor 231? This light, muted pink shade (Shell Grey Light) is hex #C9B5B1, RGB 201, 181, 177. Cross-brand equivalents in Madeira, J&P Coates, and Sullivans are listed below — ranked by perceptual similarity — alongside 8 nearby Anchor shades and color-theory harmony pairings.
About Anchor 231
Anchor Stranded Cotton Mouliné
- Fiber
- 100% cotton
- Sold as
- 8 m
Brand Equivalents for Anchor 231
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 231
Closest Anchor threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with Anchor 231
It has moderate contrast on both light and dark fabric — usable on either, but test a few stitches on your chosen ground first.
For skin, hands, and faces, Anchor 231 (Shell Grey Light) is a plausible mid-value — pair it with a highlight and a shadow tone from the same family for believable modeling.
Color Harmonies for Anchor 231
Anchor threads that pair well with 231, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Pinks Family
Anchor231 in context with nearby shades from the pinks color family.
About Anchor 231
Shell Grey Light (catalog code Anchor 231) is a light, muted shade from the pinks family. With a subtle and pale quality, this thread works beautifully in peony petals and flamingo designs. You will find this color at home in patterns featuring tulip blooms and cosmetics-themed designs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What color is Anchor 231?
Anchor 231 is called Shell Grey Light. It's a light pink shade (hex #C9B5B1, RGB 201, 181, 177) in the pinks family, commonly used for romantic motifs, blush accents, and similar motifs.
What's the closest DMC match for Anchor 231?
The closest DMC match for Anchor 231 (Shell Grey Light) is DMC 453 (Shell Grey light) with a 85% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include DMC 05 (Light Driftwood, 71%) and DMC 06 (Medium Light Driftwood, 59%).
What's a good substitute for Anchor 231?
The closest Anchor threads to 231 are 232 Shell Grey Medium (ΔE 5.17), 234 Pearl Grey Very Light (ΔE 6.66), and 869 Antique Violet Very Light (ΔE 7.1). These are useful substitutes when 231 is unavailable or for building gradients.
What projects use Anchor 231?
Cross-stitchers pull Anchor 231 (Shell Grey Light) for charts featuring romantic motifs, blush accents, cherry blossoms, ballet themes. The light tone reads cleanly on its own and slots into multi-color palettes — see the color harmonies below for pairing ideas.
What fabric color works best with Anchor 231 (Shell Grey 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, 231 has a contrast ratio of about 2:1 on white fabric and 10.7:1 on black. As a soft warm shade, its warm cast advances toward the viewer — good for focal points, highlights, and cozy, inviting palettes.