221 — Shell Pink very dark
Reds family#6D2329
DMC 221 (Shell Pink very dark) is a medium-dark, vivid red shade with hex code #6D2329 and RGB values 109, 35, 41. Below you'll find the closest Valdani, Crescent Colors, and Anchor equivalents — ranked by visual color similarity — plus 8 similar DMC shades and color harmony pairings.
About DMC 221
DMC Six-Strand Embroidery Floss (Mouliné Spécial)
- Also sold as
- Mars Red
- Fiber
- 100% cotton
- Strands
- 6 strands
- Sold as
- 8 m skein
Brand Equivalents for DMC 221
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 221 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 221 (Shell Pink very dark) in any brand.
Similar DMC Colors to 221
Closest DMC threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with DMC 221
It pops on white and light fabric but nearly disappears on black, so pair it with a light or neutral ground.
DMC 221 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 Shell Pink very dark turns up.
DMC 221 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 221.
Diamond painting: the same number is sold as a drill — Diamond Dotz D221, Diamond Drills USA DMC221. A kit legend or drill bag marked 221 means this color. See the diamond painting DMC chart for every code with drill availability.
Color Harmonies for DMC 221
DMC threads that pair well with 221, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Reds Family
DMC221 in context with nearby shades from the reds color family.
About DMC 221
A medium-dark, vivid entry in the reds family, DMC 221 carries the name Shell Pink very dark with warm crimson tones. Its strong and rich presence shines in barn scenes and tomato patterns alike. Pull this thread for roses or hearts when you need a dependable shade.
Frequently Asked Questions
What color is DMC 221?
DMC 221 is called Shell Pink very dark. It's a medium-dark red shade (hex #6D2329, RGB 109, 35, 41) in the reds family, commonly used for valentines, poppies, and similar motifs.
What's the closest Anchor match for DMC 221?
The closest Anchor match for DMC 221 (Shell Pink very dark) is Anchor 897 (Shell Pink Very Dark) with a 89% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include Anchor 1028 (Dusty Plum Dark, 82%) and Anchor 45 (Garnet Very Dark, 77%).
What's a good substitute for DMC 221?
The closest DMC threads to 221 are 815 Garnet medium (ΔE 3.76), 3777 Terra Cotta very dark (ΔE 4.93), and 777 Raspberry very dark (ΔE 5.12). These are useful substitutes when 221 is unavailable or for building gradients.
What projects use DMC 221?
Cross-stitchers pull DMC 221 (Shell Pink very dark) for charts featuring valentines, poppies, cardinal birds, apple motifs. The medium-dark 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 221 (Shell Pink very dark)?
It pops on white and light fabric but nearly disappears on black, so pair it with a light or neutral ground. For reference, 221 has a contrast ratio of about 10.9:1 on white fabric and 1.9:1 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 221?
No. DMC 221 (Shell Pink very dark) 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.
What is the diamond painting drill code for DMC 221?
Diamond Dotz D221 and Diamond Drills USA DMC221 carry the same number. Diamond painting adopted DMC's numbering, so a kit legend or drill bag marked 221 is this color regardless of drill brand — though each manufacturer dyes to the reference in its own batches, so avoid mixing brands inside one large block.
Which other thread brands come closest to DMC 221?
Outside the main floss brands, the nearest shades we hold are Glissen Gloss 616 Multi Red (97%), Silk and Ivory 014 Burgundy (94%), Waverly Wool 2022 Waverly Wool (93%). Percentages are perceptual color distance between the two swatches; anything above about 93% is hard to tell apart on fabric.