398 — Pearl Grey
Light Grays family#BCBAB8
Anchor 398 — Pearl Grey — has hex #BCBAB8 and RGB 188, 186, 184. This light, subdued light gray thread sits alongside its closest Classic Colorworks, Weeks Dye Works, and Gentle Art Sampler matches below, with 8 similar Anchor shades and a panel of color harmonies for palette planning.
About Anchor 398
Anchor Stranded Cotton Mouliné
- Fiber
- 100% cotton
- Sold as
- 8 m
Brand Equivalents for Anchor 398
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 398
Closest Anchor threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with Anchor 398
It reads best on black or dark fabric and can wash out on white, so reach for a dark or mid-tone ground.
Because Anchor 848 (Grey Blue Light) is so near (ΔE 2.37), the pair makes a natural two-step gradient — handy for shading skin, petals, or skies without a hard seam.
Color Harmonies for Anchor 398
Anchor threads that pair well with 398, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Light Grays Family
Anchor398 in context with nearby shades from the light grays color family.
About Anchor 398
Anchor 398 (Pearl Grey) is a light, subdued shade in the light grays family. It has a soft and gentle feel that suits silver accents and marble patterns particularly well. Designers often pair this shade with rain clouds or mouse designs for balanced palettes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Anchor 398 look like?
Anchor 398 (Pearl Grey) is a light shade in the light grays family with hex #BCBAB8 and RGB 188, 186, 184. Stitchers reach for it in projects featuring subtle shading and metallic effects.
Which DMC thread matches Anchor 398?
The closest DMC match for Anchor 398 (Pearl Grey) is DMC 01 (White Tin) with a 85% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include DMC 02 (Tin, 78%) and DMC 3072 (Beaver Grey very light, 73%).
What Anchor colors are similar to 398?
The closest Anchor threads to 398 are 848 Grey Blue Light (ΔE 2.37), 234 Pearl Grey Very Light (ΔE 4.37), and 900 Beaver Grey Light (ΔE 5). These are useful substitutes when 398 is unavailable or for building gradients.
When should I use Anchor 398?
Reach for Anchor 398 (Pearl Grey) when your project calls for subtle shading, metallic effects, winter themes, stone textures. Its light character carries both small accents and wider palette work; the harmony picks on this page show natural companions to 398.
What fabric color works best with Anchor 398 (Pearl Grey)?
It reads best on black or dark fabric and can wash out on white, so reach for a dark or mid-tone ground. For reference, 398 has a contrast ratio of about 1.9:1 on white fabric and 10.9:1 on black. As a neutral shade, as a near-neutral, it plays quietly with almost any palette and works well as a background or shading tone.