42 — Rose Very Dark
Reds family
Below: Anchor 42 (Rose Very Dark), a medium, moderately saturated red shade with hex #BB4059 and RGB 187, 64, 89. Find its closest Gentle Art Sampler, Valdani, and Crescent Colours matches ranked by visual similarity, plus 8 similar Anchor shades and a full set of color harmony picks.
Brand Equivalents for Anchor 42
Top 5 closest matches in each brand, ranked by visual color similarity. How matching works
DMC
Madeira
J&P Coates
Sullivans
Classic Colorworks
Weeks Dye Works
Gentle Art Sampler
Valdani
Crescent Colours
Similar Anchor Colors to 42
Closest Anchor threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with Anchor 42
It stands out clearly on both white and dark fabric, so it is an easy, versatile choice for any ground.
Because Anchor 38 (Dusty Pink) is so near (ΔE 1.82), the pair makes a natural two-step gradient — handy for shading skin, petals, or skies without a hard seam.
Color Harmonies for Anchor 42
Anchor threads that pair well with 42, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Reds Family
Anchor 42 in context with nearby shades from the reds color family.
About Anchor 42
Anchor 42 (Rose Very Dark) is a medium, moderately saturated shade in the reds family with warm crimson tones. The rich and warm mood of this color makes it a natural fit for tomato patterns and roses. Expect to see it used in hearts and holiday designs across many cross-stitch charts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Anchor 42 look like?
Anchor 42 (Rose Very Dark) is a medium shade in the reds family with hex #BB4059 and RGB 187, 64, 89. Stitchers reach for it in projects featuring poppies and cardinal birds.
Which DMC thread matches Anchor 42?
The closest DMC match for Anchor 42 (Rose Very Dark) is DMC 3731 (Dusty Rose very dark) with a 91% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include DMC 3832 (Raspberry medium, 83%) and DMC 601 (Cranberry dark, 76%).
What Anchor colors are similar to 42?
The closest Anchor threads to 42 are 38 Dusty Pink (ΔE 1.82), 35 Pink Bright Dark (ΔE 3.9), and 41 Rose Dark (ΔE 4.51). These are useful substitutes when 42 is unavailable or for building gradients.
When should I use Anchor 42?
Reach for Anchor 42 (Rose Very Dark) when your project calls for poppies, cardinal birds, apple motifs, ladybug designs. Its medium character carries both small accents and wider palette work; the harmony picks on this page show natural companions to 42.
What fabric color works best with Anchor 42 (Rose Very Dark)?
It stands out clearly on both white and dark fabric, so it is an easy, versatile choice for any ground. For reference, 42 has a contrast ratio of about 5.3:1 on white fabric and 4:1 on black. As a warm shade, its warm cast advances toward the viewer — good for focal points, highlights, and cozy, inviting palettes.