86 — Mauve Medium Light
Pinks family#DA87B6
Anchor 86 (Mauve Medium Light) is a medium-light, vivid pink shade with hex code #DA87B6 and RGB values 218, 135, 182. Below you'll find the closest Sullivans, Cosmo, and Classic Colorworks equivalents — ranked by visual color similarity — plus 8 similar Anchor shades and color harmony pairings.
About Anchor 86
Anchor Stranded Cotton Mouliné
- Fiber
- 100% cotton
- Sold as
- 8 m
Brand Equivalents for Anchor 86
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 86
Closest Anchor threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with Anchor 86
It has moderate contrast on both light and dark fabric — usable on either, but test a few stitches on your chosen ground first.
Color Harmonies for Anchor 86
Anchor threads that pair well with 86, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Pinks Family
Anchor86 in context with nearby shades from the pinks color family.
About Anchor 86
Known as Mauve Medium Light, Anchor 86 is a medium-light, vivid shade sitting in the pinks family with rose pink tones. This thread brings a crisp and versatile presence to projects featuring blush accents or cherry blossoms. Look for it in charts that feature ballet themes or baby projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anchor 86 — what color is it?
The color of Anchor 86 is Mauve Medium Light — a medium-light pink thread (hex #DA87B6, RGB 218, 135, 182). It shows up most in cosmetics-themed designs and rose buds.
What is the DMC equivalent of Anchor 86?
The closest DMC match for Anchor 86 (Mauve Medium Light) is DMC 3609 (Plum ultra light) with a 76% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include DMC 3608 (Plum very light, 72%) and DMC 604 (Cranberry light, 69%).
Which Anchor threads are close to 86?
The closest Anchor threads to 86 are 96 Violet Very Light (ΔE 4.03), 97 Violet Light (ΔE 4.91), and 66 Dusty Plum Light (ΔE 7.05). These are useful substitutes when 86 is unavailable or for building gradients.
What is Anchor 86 good for?
Anchor 86 (Mauve Medium Light) is commonly used in cross-stitch projects featuring cosmetics-themed designs, rose buds, florals, skin tones. 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 86.
What fabric color works best with Anchor 86 (Mauve Medium 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, 86 has a contrast ratio of about 2.6:1 on white fabric and 8.1:1 on black. As a warm shade, its warm cast advances toward the viewer — good for focal points, highlights, and cozy, inviting palettes.