971 — Pumpkin
Oranges family#FC670D
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.
About DMC 971
DMC Six-Strand Embroidery Floss (Mouliné Spécial)
- Fiber
- 100% cotton
- Strands
- 6 strands
- Sold as
- 8 m skein
Brand Equivalents for DMC 971
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 971 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 971 (Pumpkin) in any brand.
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.
DMC 971 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 Pumpkin turns up.
DMC 971 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 971.
Diamond painting: the same number is sold as a drill — Diamond Dotz D971. A kit legend or drill bag marked 971 means this color. See the diamond painting DMC chart for every code with drill availability.
Color Harmonies for DMC 971
DMC threads that pair well with 971, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Oranges Family
DMC971 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 316 (Tangerine Dark) with a 89% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include Anchor 324 (Orange Spice Medium, 85%) and Anchor 925 (Yellow Green Very Dark, 80%).
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.
Is there a metallic or satin version of DMC 971?
No. DMC 971 (Pumpkin) 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 971?
Diamond Dotz D971 carry the same number. Diamond painting adopted DMC's numbering, so a kit legend or drill bag marked 971 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 971?
Outside the main floss brands, the nearest shades we hold are Artkal S S56 Bright Carrot (96%), Artkal C C16 Bright Carrot (96%), Artkal A A16 Bright Carrot (96%). Percentages are perceptual color distance between the two swatches; anything above about 93% is hard to tell apart on fabric.