21 — Light Alizarin
Reds family#C0614D
DMC 21 — Light Alizarin — has hex #C0614D and RGB 192, 97, 77. This medium, moderately saturated red thread sits alongside its closest Anchor, Madeira, and J&P Coates matches below, with 8 similar DMC shades and a panel of color harmonies for palette planning.
About DMC 21
DMC Six-Strand Embroidery Floss (Mouliné Spécial)
- Also sold as
- Prosciutto
- Fiber
- 100% cotton
- Strands
- 6 strands
- Sold as
- 8 m skein
Brand Equivalents for DMC 21
The five closest matches in each brand, ranked by CIEDE2000 perceptual color difference.
Anchor
Madeira
J&P Coates
Sullivans
Classic Colorworks
Weeks Dye Works
Gentle Art Sampler
Valdani
Crescent Colors
Closest match to DMC 21 in 67 more brands
The single nearest shade in every other palette we hold, from needlepoint silks and wools to fuse beads and yarn. Match quality is perceptual color distance: 93% and up is hard to tell apart, under 75% is a visible shift.
More stranded cotton
Hand-dyed & overdyed
Silk
Wool for needlepoint
Metallic, rayon & specialty
Other threads & beads
Fuse beads
Yarn for crochet & knitting
Need the runners-up, or a whole pattern converted? The thread conversion chart ranks every alternative for DMC 21 (Light Alizarin) in any brand.
Similar DMC Colors to 21
Closest DMC threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with DMC 21
It stands out clearly on both white and dark fabric, so it is an easy, versatile choice for any ground.
Its nearest neighbor, DMC 3778 (Terra Cotta light), is barely a step away (ΔE 3.01). Tweed the two together for subtle shading, or substitute freely when one is out of stock.
DMC 21 in other DMC lines
DMC reuses base numbers across its specialty lines, so the same shade can exist as a satin, a metallic, or a sparkle floss under a prefixed code. Here is where Light Alizarin turns up.
DMC 21 is a Mouliné Spécial-only number: there is no Satin, Light Effects, or Étoile version of this shade. For a sheen or sparkle in the same tone, blend one strand of the nearest metallic with two strands of DMC 21.
Diamond painting: 21 is not in the standard drill set, so kits rarely call for it. Loose-drill shops that pour to DMC numbers are the usual source if a chart does.
Color Harmonies for DMC 21
DMC threads that pair well with 21, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Reds Family
DMC21 in context with nearby shades from the reds color family.
About DMC 21
A medium, moderately saturated entry in the reds family, DMC 21 carries the name Light Alizarin with red-orange tones. Its tone is balanced and warm, making it a popular choice for berries and valentines. It pairs nicely in designs that call for poppies or cardinal birds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What color is DMC 21?
DMC 21 is called Light Alizarin. It's a medium red shade (hex #C0614D, RGB 192, 97, 77) in the reds family, commonly used for tomato patterns, roses, and similar motifs.
What's the closest Anchor match for DMC 21?
The closest Anchor match for DMC 21 (Light Alizarin) is Anchor 1007 (Flesh Very Dark) with a 80% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include Anchor 338 (Mahogany Light, 72%) and Anchor 1049 (Copper Medium Dark, 71%).
What's a good substitute for DMC 21?
The closest DMC threads to 21 are 3778 Terra Cotta light (ΔE 3.01), 3859 Rosewood light (ΔE 4.87), and 3064 Desert Sand (ΔE 6.31). These are useful substitutes when 21 is unavailable or for building gradients.
What projects use DMC 21?
Cross-stitchers pull DMC 21 (Light Alizarin) for charts featuring tomato patterns, roses, hearts, holiday designs. The medium tone reads cleanly on its own and slots into multi-color palettes — see the color harmonies below for pairing ideas.
What fabric color works best with DMC 21 (Light Alizarin)?
It stands out clearly on both white and dark fabric, so it is an easy, versatile choice for any ground. For reference, 21 has a contrast ratio of about 4.2:1 on white fabric and 5.1:1 on black. As a warm shade, its warm cast advances toward the viewer — good for focal points, highlights, and cozy, inviting palettes.
Is there a metallic or satin version of DMC 21?
No. DMC 21 (Light Alizarin) exists only as Mouliné Spécial six-strand cotton — there is no Satin, Light Effects, or Étoile code for it. For a matching shine, blend one strand of the nearest Light Effects color with two strands of the cotton.
Which other thread brands come closest to DMC 21?
Outside the main floss brands, the nearest shades we hold are Eterna Silk 1240 Brick Red Medium (92%), Luca-S 409 (89%), Ariadna 1755 (88%). Percentages are perceptual color distance between the two swatches; anything above about 93% is hard to tell apart on fabric.