891 — Carnation dark
Reds family#EF2C46
DMC 891 (Carnation dark) is a medium-light, highly saturated red shade with hex code #EF2C46 and RGB values 239, 44, 70. Below you'll find the closest Sullivans, Cosmo, and Classic Colorworks equivalents — ranked by visual color similarity — plus 8 similar DMC shades and color harmony pairings.
About DMC 891
DMC Six-Strand Embroidery Floss (Mouliné Spécial)
- Also sold as
- Geranium
- Fiber
- 100% cotton
- Strands
- 6 strands
- Sold as
- 8 m skein
Brand Equivalents for DMC 891
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 891 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 891 (Carnation dark) in any brand.
Similar DMC Colors to 891
Closest DMC threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with DMC 891
It stands out clearly on both white and dark fabric, so it is an easy, versatile choice for any ground.
DMC 891 (Carnation dark) is vivid enough to carry a focal point; use it sparingly for accents so it stays the star rather than competing across the whole piece.
Its nearest neighbor, DMC 3705 (Melon dark), is barely a step away (ΔE 1.62). Tweed the two together for subtle shading, or substitute freely when one is out of stock.
DMC 891 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 Carnation dark turns up.
DMC 891 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 891.
Diamond painting: the same number is sold as a drill — Diamond Dotz D891, Diamond Drills USA DMC891. A kit legend or drill bag marked 891 means this color. See the diamond painting DMC chart for every code with drill availability.
Color Harmonies for DMC 891
DMC threads that pair well with 891, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Reds Family
DMC891 in context with nearby shades from the reds color family.
About DMC 891
Carnation dark (catalog code DMC 891) is a medium-light, highly saturated shade from the reds family with warm crimson tones. This thread brings a fresh and confident presence to projects featuring cardinal birds or apple motifs. Look for it in charts that feature ladybug designs or barn scenes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What color is DMC 891?
DMC 891 is called Carnation dark. It's a medium-light red shade (hex #EF2C46, RGB 239, 44, 70) in the reds family, commonly used for holiday designs, bold accents, and similar motifs.
What's the closest Anchor match for DMC 891?
The closest Anchor match for DMC 891 (Carnation dark) is Anchor 35 (Pink Bright Dark) with a 84% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include Anchor 28 (Baby Pink Very Dark, 80%) and Anchor 29 (Baby Pink Ultra Very Dark, 78%).
What's a good substitute for DMC 891?
The closest DMC threads to 891 are 3705 Melon dark (ΔE 1.62), 892 Carnation medium (ΔE 2.92), and 3801 Christmas Red light (ΔE 4.27). These are useful substitutes when 891 is unavailable or for building gradients.
What projects use DMC 891?
Cross-stitchers pull DMC 891 (Carnation dark) for charts featuring holiday designs, bold accents, berries, valentines. 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 891 (Carnation dark)?
It stands out clearly on both white and dark fabric, so it is an easy, versatile choice for any ground. For reference, 891 has a contrast ratio of about 4.1:1 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 891?
No. DMC 891 (Carnation 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 891?
Diamond Dotz D891 and Diamond Drills USA DMC891 carry the same number. Diamond painting adopted DMC's numbering, so a kit legend or drill bag marked 891 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 891?
Outside the main floss brands, the nearest shades we hold are Vineyard Silk 225 Bonfire (96%), Madeira Rayon 1154 Lipstick Rose (94%), Eterna Silk 1660 Blush Medium Dark (92%). Percentages are perceptual color distance between the two swatches; anything above about 93% is hard to tell apart on fabric.