Anchor Stranded Cotton

253 — Forest Green Ultra Very Light

Yellows family

Looking up Anchor 253? It's Forest Green Ultra Very Light, a medium-light yellow shade (#B4BB8E / RGB 180, 187, 142). Scroll down for Crescent Colours, DMC, and Madeira equivalents ranked by visual similarity, plus 8 close Anchor alternatives and curated color harmonies.

Hex
#B4BB8E
RGB
180, 187, 142
HSL
69°, 25%, 65%
Lab
74.3, -10.0, 22.0
Lightness
65%
Light
Saturation
25%
Neutral
Hue
69°
Family
Yellows

Brand Equivalents for Anchor 253

Top 5 closest matches in each brand, ranked by visual color similarity. How matching works

Anchor 253 Forest Green Ultra Very Light

Sullivans

Fern Green Very Light 45120 78% Approx
Pistachio Green Very Light 45082 68% Approx
Yellow Green Light 45345 66% Approx
Forest Green Light 45479 62% Fair
Beige Grey Medium 45150 56% Fair

Crescent Colours

Lemon Lime 019 82% Good
Cottage Garden 064 75% Approx
Tomatillo 074 67% Approx
Dandelion Stem 119 61% Fair
Frozen Margarita 054 58% Fair

Similar Anchor Colors to 253

Closest Anchor threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.

Working with Anchor 253

On white fabric
2:1
On dark fabric
10.4:1
Temperature
soft warm
Closest to
tan

It has moderate contrast on both light and dark fabric — usable on either, but test a few stitches on your chosen ground first.

Blending & gradients

Anchor 253 (Forest Green Ultra Very Light) sits a hair from Anchor 264 (Avocado Green Ultra Very Light) (ΔE 2.85) — 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 253

Anchor threads that pair well with 253, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.

Complementary
Opposite on the color wheel — maximum contrast
Analogous
Adjacent hues — smooth, natural transitions
Triadic
Evenly spaced at 120° — vibrant and balanced
Monochromatic
Same hue, different lightness — great for shading

Yellows Family

Anchor 253 in context with nearby shades from the yellows color family.

About Anchor 253

Known as Forest Green Ultra Very Light, Anchor 253 is a medium-light, muted shade sitting in the yellows family with lemon-toned tones. Expect a restrained and versatile look that suits golden accents, stars, and similar motifs. Cross stitch enthusiasts often reach for this thread when stitching honey themes or wheat fields.

Frequently Asked Questions

Anchor 253 — what color is it?

The color of Anchor 253 is Forest Green Ultra Very Light — a medium-light yellow thread (hex #B4BB8E, RGB 180, 187, 142). It shows up most in bumblebee patterns and canary themes.

What is the DMC equivalent of Anchor 253?

The closest DMC match for Anchor 253 (Forest Green Ultra Very Light) is DMC 369 (Pistachio Green very light) with a 66% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include DMC 14 (Pale Apple Green, 66%) and DMC 16 (Light Chartreuse, 65%).

Which Anchor threads are close to 253?

The closest Anchor threads to 253 are 264 Avocado Green Ultra Very Light (ΔE 2.85), 260 Laurel Green Light (ΔE 3.01), and 240 Pistachio Green Light (ΔE 5.78). These are useful substitutes when 253 is unavailable or for building gradients.

What is Anchor 253 good for?

Anchor 253 (Forest Green Ultra Very Light) is commonly used in cross-stitch projects featuring bumblebee patterns, canary themes, sunflowers, highlights. Its medium-light tone works well for standalone motifs and as part of larger palettes. This page includes color harmonies and similar shades to pair with 253.

What fabric color works best with Anchor 253 (Forest Green Ultra Very 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, 253 has a contrast ratio of about 2:1 on white fabric and 10.4:1 on black. As a soft warm shade, its warm cast advances toward the viewer — good for focal points, highlights, and cozy, inviting palettes.