3801 — Christmas Red light
Reds family#E02338
Need details on DMC 3801? This medium, vivid red shade (Christmas Red light) is hex #E02338, RGB 224, 35, 56. Cross-brand equivalents in Madeira, J&P Coates, and Sullivans are listed below — ranked by perceptual similarity — alongside 8 nearby DMC shades and color-theory harmony pairings.
About DMC 3801
DMC Six-Strand Embroidery Floss (Mouliné Spécial)
- Also sold as
- Tulip Red
- Fiber
- 100% cotton
- Strands
- 6 strands
- Sold as
- 8 m skein
Brand Equivalents for DMC 3801
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 3801 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 3801 (Christmas Red light) in any brand.
Similar DMC Colors to 3801
Closest DMC threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with DMC 3801
It stands out clearly on both white and dark fabric, so it is an easy, versatile choice for any ground.
With its high saturation, DMC 3801 (Christmas Red light) draws the eye — a natural pick for focal motifs, small pops of color, and details you want to read first.
DMC 3801 (Christmas Red light) sits a hair from DMC 350 (Coral medium) (ΔE 2.98) — close enough to blend a strand of each for a smooth gradient or to swap one for the other in a pinch.
DMC 3801 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 Christmas Red light turns up.
DMC 3801 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 3801.
Diamond painting: the same number is sold as a drill — Diamond Dotz D3801, Diamond Drills USA DMC3801. A kit legend or drill bag marked 3801 means this color. See the diamond painting DMC chart for every code with drill availability.
Color Harmonies for DMC 3801
DMC threads that pair well with 3801, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Reds Family
DMC3801 in context with nearby shades from the reds color family.
About DMC 3801
Known as Christmas Red light, DMC 3801 is a medium, vivid shade sitting in the reds family with warm crimson tones. With a vibrant and steady quality, this thread works beautifully in ladybug designs and barn scenes. You will find this color at home in patterns featuring tomato patterns and roses.
Frequently Asked Questions
DMC 3801 — what color is it?
The color of DMC 3801 is Christmas Red light — a medium red thread (hex #E02338, RGB 224, 35, 56). It shows up most in berries and valentines.
What is the Anchor equivalent of DMC 3801?
The closest Anchor match for DMC 3801 (Christmas Red light) is Anchor 29 (Baby Pink Ultra Very Dark) with a 89% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include Anchor 1098 (Red, 85%) and Anchor 46 (Christmas Red Light, 80%).
Which DMC threads are close to 3801?
The closest DMC threads to 3801 are 350 Coral medium (ΔE 2.98), 891 Carnation dark (ΔE 4.27), and 606 Burnt Orange-Red (ΔE 5.55). These are useful substitutes when 3801 is unavailable or for building gradients.
What is DMC 3801 good for?
DMC 3801 (Christmas Red light) 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 3801.
What fabric color works best with DMC 3801 (Christmas Red light)?
It stands out clearly on both white and dark fabric, so it is an easy, versatile choice for any ground. For reference, 3801 has a contrast ratio of about 4.7:1 on white fabric and 4.5:1 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 3801?
No. DMC 3801 (Christmas Red light) 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 3801?
Diamond Dotz D3801 and Diamond Drills USA DMC3801 carry the same number. Diamond painting adopted DMC's numbering, so a kit legend or drill bag marked 3801 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 3801?
Outside the main floss brands, the nearest shades we hold are Nabbi N19 Red (99%), Soie d'Alger 941 Christmas Red (96%), Gamma 0012 алый (92%). Percentages are perceptual color distance between the two swatches; anything above about 93% is hard to tell apart on fabric.