971 — Pumpkin
Oranges family
Need details on DMC 971? This medium, highly saturated orange shade (Pumpkin) is hex #FC670D, RGB 252, 103, 13. Cross-brand equivalents in Weeks Dye Works, Gentle Art Sampler, and Valdani are listed below — ranked by perceptual similarity — alongside 8 nearby DMC shades and color-theory harmony pairings.
Brand Equivalents for DMC 971
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 971
Closest DMC threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with DMC 971
It has moderate contrast on both light and dark fabric — usable on either, but test a few stitches on your chosen ground first.
DMC 971 (Pumpkin) 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 740 (Tangerine (971)), is barely a step away (ΔE 1.31). Tweed the two together for subtle shading, or substitute freely when one is out of stock.
Color Harmonies for DMC 971
DMC threads that pair well with 971, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Oranges Family
DMC 971 in context with nearby shades from the oranges color family.
About DMC 971
A medium, highly saturated entry in the oranges family, DMC 971 carries the name Pumpkin with deep amber tones. Stitchers describe its character as confident and warm, perfect for monarch butterflies and persimmon patterns. It blends comfortably into projects centered on autumn leaves and sunsets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What color is DMC 971?
DMC 971 is called Pumpkin. It's a medium orange shade (hex #FC670D, RGB 252, 103, 13) in the oranges family, commonly used for marigolds, fall wreaths, and similar motifs.
What's the closest Anchor match for DMC 971?
The closest Anchor match for DMC 971 (Pumpkin) is Anchor 330 (Orange) with a 91% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include Anchor 316 (Tangerine Dark, 73%) and Anchor 314 (Tangerine Medium, 72%).
What's a good substitute for DMC 971?
The closest DMC threads to 971 are 740 Tangerine (971) (ΔE 1.31), 970 Pumpkin light (ΔE 2.98), and 721 Orange Spice medium (ΔE 6.58). These are useful substitutes when 971 is unavailable or for building gradients.
What projects use DMC 971?
Cross-stitchers pull DMC 971 (Pumpkin) for charts featuring marigolds, fall wreaths, citrus motifs, fox designs. The medium 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 971 (Pumpkin)?
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, 971 has a contrast ratio of about 3:1 on white fabric and 7.1:1 on black. As a warm shade, its warm cast advances toward the viewer — good for focal points, highlights, and cozy, inviting palettes.