Valdani 6-Ply Floss

126 — Deep Gray

Blacks family#4B4A4E

Looking up Valdani 126? It's Deep Gray, a medium-dark black shade (#4B4A4E / RGB 75, 74, 78). Scroll down for Sullivans, Cosmo, and Classic Colorworks equivalents ranked by visual similarity, plus 8 close Valdani alternatives and curated color harmonies.

Hex
#4B4A4E
RGB
75, 74, 78
HSL
255°, 3%, 30%
Lab
31.7, 1.3, -2.2
Lightness
30%
Dark
Saturation
3%
Neutral
Hue
255°
Family
Blacks

About Valdani 126

Valdani 6-Ply Floss

Strands
6 ply

Brand Equivalents for Valdani 126

The five closest matches in each brand, ranked by CIEDE2000 perceptual color difference.

Valdani 126Deep Gray

Similar Valdani Colors to 126

Closest Valdani threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.

Working with Valdani 126

On white fabric
8.8:1
On dark fabric
2.4:1
Temperature
neutral
Closest to
charcoal

It has moderate contrast on both light and dark fabric — usable on either, but test a few stitches on your chosen ground first.

Hand-dyed notes

Hand-dyed threads like Valdani 126 (Deep Gray) are never perfectly flat; expect soft variegation. Stock up in a single dye lot up front, since later batches can read noticeably different.

Blending & gradients

Valdani 126 (Deep Gray) sits a hair from Valdani 135 (Beaver Gray) (ΔE 1.54) — close enough to blend a strand of each for a smooth gradient or to swap one for the other in a pinch.

Color Harmonies for Valdani 126

Valdani threads that pair well with 126, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.

Complementary
Opposite on the color wheel — maximum contrast
Analogous
Adjacent hues — smooth, natural transitions
Triadic
Evenly spaced at 120° — vibrant and balanced
Monochromatic
Same hue, different lightness — great for shading

Blacks Family

Valdani126 in context with nearby shades from the blacks color family.

About Valdani 126

Meet Valdani 126, Deep Gray — a subdued, medium-dark thread in the blacks family. The shade reads as somber and rich — a go-to choice for silhouettes and calligraphy. It also turns up in patterns built around cat designs and crow motifs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Valdani 126 — what color is it?

The color of Valdani 126 is Deep Gray — a medium-dark black thread (hex #4B4A4E, RGB 75, 74, 78). It shows up most in lettering and bold contrast.

What is the DMC equivalent of Valdani 126?

The closest DMC match for Valdani 126 (Deep Gray) is DMC 413 (Pewter Grey dark) with a 77% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include DMC 317 (Pewter Grey, 72%) and DMC 535 (Ash Grey very light, 70%).

Which Valdani threads are close to 126?

The closest Valdani threads to 126 are 135 Beaver Gray (ΔE 1.54), O126 Old Cottage Grey (ΔE 2.06), and 2 Charcoal (ΔE 3.98). These are useful substitutes when 126 is unavailable or for building gradients.

What is Valdani 126 good for?

Valdani 126 (Deep Gray) is commonly used in cross-stitch projects featuring lettering, bold contrast, dramatic backgrounds, wrought iron. Its medium-dark tone works well for standalone motifs and as part of larger palettes. This page includes color harmonies and similar shades to pair with 126.

Does Valdani 126 (Deep Gray) vary between dye lots?

Yes, mildly. Hand-dyed threads like 126 are never perfectly flat, and later dye lots can read differently. Reserve one lot per project and avoid stitching in strict rows to keep the mottling even.