309 — Rose deep
Reds family#AD203E
Looking up DMC 309? It's Rose deep, a medium red shade (#AD203E / RGB 173, 32, 62). Scroll down for Crescent Colors, Anchor, and Madeira equivalents ranked by visual similarity, plus 8 close DMC alternatives and curated color harmonies.
About DMC 309
DMC Six-Strand Embroidery Floss (Mouliné Spécial)
- Also sold as
- Crushed Raspberry
- Fiber
- 100% cotton
- Strands
- 6 strands
- Sold as
- 8 m skein
Brand Equivalents for DMC 309
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 309 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 309 (Rose deep) in any brand.
Similar DMC Colors to 309
Closest DMC threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with DMC 309
It has moderate contrast on both light and dark fabric — usable on either, but test a few stitches on your chosen ground first.
With its high saturation, DMC 309 (Rose deep) draws the eye — a natural pick for focal motifs, small pops of color, and details you want to read first.
DMC 309 (Rose deep) sits a hair from DMC 3831 (Raspberry dark) (ΔE 1.26) — close enough to blend a strand of each for a smooth gradient or to swap one for the other in a pinch.
DMC 309 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 Rose deep turns up.
DMC 309 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 309.
Diamond painting: the same number is sold as a drill — Diamond Dotz D309, Diamond Drills USA DMC309. A kit legend or drill bag marked 309 means this color. See the diamond painting DMC chart for every code with drill availability.
Color Harmonies for DMC 309
DMC threads that pair well with 309, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Reds Family
DMC309 in context with nearby shades from the reds color family.
About DMC 309
Known as Rose deep, DMC 309 is a medium, vivid shade sitting in the reds family with warm crimson tones. Expect a vibrant and steady look that suits ladybug designs, barn scenes, and similar motifs. Cross stitch enthusiasts often reach for this thread when stitching tomato patterns or roses.
Frequently Asked Questions
DMC 309 — what color is it?
The color of DMC 309 is Rose deep — a medium red thread (hex #AD203E, RGB 173, 32, 62). It shows up most in berries and valentines.
What is the Anchor equivalent of DMC 309?
The closest Anchor match for DMC 309 (Rose deep) is Anchor 69 (Dusty Plum Medium Dark) with a 90% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include Anchor 59 (Pink Mauve Ultra Very Dark, 86%) and Anchor 65 (Cerise Ultra Very Dark, 84%).
Which DMC threads are close to 309?
The closest DMC threads to 309 are 3831 Raspberry dark (ΔE 1.26), 326 Rose very deep (ΔE 2.27), and 347 Salmon very dark (ΔE 4.11). These are useful substitutes when 309 is unavailable or for building gradients.
What is DMC 309 good for?
DMC 309 (Rose deep) is commonly used in cross-stitch projects featuring berries, valentines, poppies, cardinal birds. Its medium tone works well for standalone motifs and as part of larger palettes. This page includes color harmonies and similar shades to pair with 309.
What fabric color works best with DMC 309 (Rose deep)?
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, 309 has a contrast ratio of about 6.9:1 on white fabric and 3.1:1 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 309?
No. DMC 309 (Rose deep) 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 309?
Diamond Dotz D309 and Diamond Drills USA DMC309 carry the same number. Diamond painting adopted DMC's numbering, so a kit legend or drill bag marked 309 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 309?
Outside the main floss brands, the nearest shades we hold are Soie d'Alger 2935 Laurier Rose (94%), Eterna Silk 1560 Peony Medium Dark (94%), The Gentle Art Simply Shaker 7052 School House Red (91%). Percentages are perceptual color distance between the two swatches; anything above about 93% is hard to tell apart on fabric.