3688 — Mauve medium
Pinks family
Looking up DMC 3688? It's Mauve medium, a medium-light pink shade (#D16987 / RGB 209, 105, 135). Scroll down for Cosmo, Classic Colorworks, and Weeks Dye Works equivalents ranked by visual similarity, plus 8 close DMC alternatives and curated color harmonies.
Brand Equivalents for DMC 3688
Top 5 closest matches in each brand, ranked by visual color similarity. How matching works
Anchor
Madeira
J&P Coates
Sullivans
Classic Colorworks
Weeks Dye Works
Gentle Art Sampler
Valdani
Crescent Colours
Similar DMC Colors to 3688
Closest DMC threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with DMC 3688
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 DMC 3688
DMC threads that pair well with 3688, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Pinks Family
DMC 3688 in context with nearby shades from the pinks color family.
About DMC 3688
A medium-light, vivid entry in the pinks family, DMC 3688 carries the name Mauve medium with rose pink tones. The shade reads as fresh and confident — a go-to choice for cosmetics-themed designs and rose buds. It also turns up in patterns built around florals and skin tones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What color is DMC 3688?
DMC 3688 is called Mauve medium. It's a medium-light pink shade (hex #D16987, RGB 209, 105, 135) in the pinks family, commonly used for ballet themes, baby projects, and similar motifs.
What's the closest Anchor match for DMC 3688?
The closest Anchor match for DMC 3688 (Mauve medium) is Anchor 54 (Pink Very Dark) with a 75% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include Anchor 40 (Rose, 68%) and Anchor 1023 (Dusty Rose, 62%).
What's a good substitute for DMC 3688?
The closest DMC threads to 3688 are 962 Dusty Rose medium (ΔE 3.57), 3733 Dusty Rose (ΔE 3.78), and 899 Rose medium (ΔE 5.53). These are useful substitutes when 3688 is unavailable or for building gradients.
What projects use DMC 3688?
Cross-stitchers pull DMC 3688 (Mauve medium) for charts featuring ballet themes, baby projects, peony petals, flamingo designs. The medium-light 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 3688 (Mauve medium)?
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, 3688 has a contrast ratio of about 3.5:1 on white fabric and 6.1:1 on black. As a warm shade, its warm cast advances toward the viewer — good for focal points, highlights, and cozy, inviting palettes.