173 — Black
Blacks family
Need details on Valdani 173? This very dark, subdued black shade (Black) is hex #000000, RGB 0, 0, 0. Cross-brand equivalents in Classic Colorworks, Weeks Dye Works, and Gentle Art Sampler are listed below — ranked by perceptual similarity — alongside 8 nearby Valdani shades and color-theory harmony pairings.
Brand Equivalents for Valdani 173
Top 5 closest matches in each brand, ranked by visual color similarity. How matching works
DMC
Anchor
Madeira
J&P Coates
Sullivans
Classic Colorworks
Weeks Dye Works
Gentle Art Sampler
Crescent Colours
Similar Valdani Colors to 173
Closest Valdani threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with Valdani 173
It pops on white and light fabric but nearly disappears on black, so pair it with a light or neutral ground.
Valdani 173 (Black) is dark enough to define edges: stitchers reach for shades like it when a design needs crisp backstitch outlines or readable text.
Hand-dyed threads like Valdani 173 (Black) are never perfectly flat; expect soft variegation. Stock up in a single dye lot up front, since later batches can read noticeably different.
Color Harmonies for Valdani 173
Valdani threads that pair well with 173, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Blacks Family
Valdani 173 in context with nearby shades from the blacks color family.
About Valdani 173
Meet Valdani 173, Black — a subdued, very dark thread in the blacks family. Stitchers describe its character as somber and commanding, perfect for outlines and lettering. It blends comfortably into projects centered on bold contrast and dramatic backgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Valdani 173 — what color is it?
The color of Valdani 173 is Black — a very dark black thread (hex #000000, RGB 0, 0, 0). It shows up most in calligraphy and cat designs.
What is the DMC equivalent of Valdani 173?
The closest DMC match for Valdani 173 (Black) is DMC 310 (Black) with a 90% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include DMC 3371 (Black Brown, 49%) and DMC 939 (Navy Blue very dark, 39%).
Which Valdani threads are close to 173?
The closest Valdani threads to 173 are 8112 Navy Blue very dark (ΔE 12.25), 8122 Pewter Grey very dark (ΔE 13.88), and 1072 Navy Blue dark (ΔE 15.36). These are useful substitutes when 173 is unavailable or for building gradients.
What is Valdani 173 good for?
Valdani 173 (Black) is commonly used in cross-stitch projects featuring calligraphy, cat designs, crow motifs, gothic accents. Its very dark tone works well for standalone motifs and as part of larger palettes. This page includes color harmonies and similar shades to pair with 173.
Is Valdani 173 (Black) good for backstitching and outlines?
It's an excellent outline color. The depth of 173 defines edges and text cleanly where lighter threads would disappear into the fill; one strand is usually enough for backstitch.