231 — Shell Grey Light
Reds family
Need details on Anchor 231? This medium-light, subdued red shade (Shell Grey Light) is hex #BDAAA7, RGB 189, 170, 167. 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.
Brand Equivalents for Anchor 231
Top 5 closest matches in each brand, ranked by visual color similarity. How matching works
DMC
Madeira
J&P Coates
Sullivans
Cosmo
Classic Colorworks
Weeks Dye Works
Gentle Art Sampler
Valdani
Crescent Colours
Similar Anchor Colors to 231
Closest Anchor threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Color Harmonies for Anchor 231
Anchor threads that pair well with 231, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Reds Family
Anchor 231 in context with nearby shades from the reds color family.
About Anchor 231
Shell Grey Light (catalog code Anchor 231) is a medium-light, subdued shade from the reds family with red-orange tones. With a gentle and grounded quality, this thread works beautifully in cardinal birds and apple motifs. You will find this color at home in patterns featuring ladybug designs and barn scenes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What color is Anchor 231?
Anchor 231 is called Shell Grey Light. It's a medium-light red shade (hex #BDAAA7, RGB 189, 170, 167) in the reds family, commonly used for holiday designs, bold 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 89% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include DMC 05 (Light Driftwood, 72%) and DMC 06 (Medium Light Driftwood, 66%).
What's a good substitute for Anchor 231?
The closest Anchor threads to 231 are 388 Beige Brown Light (ΔE 4.1), 869 Antique Violet Very Light (ΔE 7.14), and 391 Beige Grey Medium (ΔE 7.68). 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 holiday designs, bold accents, berries, valentines. The medium-light tone reads cleanly on its own and slots into multi-color palettes — see the color harmonies below for pairing ideas.