72 — Carnation dark
Reds family
Need details on Valdani 72? This medium-light, highly saturated red shade (Carnation dark) is hex #EF2C46, RGB 239, 44, 70. 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 72
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 72
Closest Valdani threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with Valdani 72
It stands out clearly on both white and dark fabric, so it is an easy, versatile choice for any ground.
Saturated shades like Valdani 72 (Carnation dark) punch above their stitch count — ideal for the one detail in a design that should grab attention.
As a hand-dyed floss, Valdani 72 (Carnation dark) varies gently within and between skeins — that is the charm. Reserve one dye lot per project and avoid stitching in strict rows to keep the mottling even.
Because Valdani 71 (Carnation medium) is so near (ΔE 2.92), the pair makes a natural two-step gradient — handy for shading skin, petals, or skies without a hard seam.
Color Harmonies for Valdani 72
Valdani threads that pair well with 72, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Reds Family
Valdani 72 in context with nearby shades from the reds color family.
About Valdani 72
Valdani 72 is the floss known as Carnation dark: a highly saturated, medium-light member of the reds family with warm crimson tones. Stitchers describe its character as balanced and lively, perfect for holiday designs and bold accents. It blends comfortably into projects centered on berries and valentines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Valdani 72 look like?
Valdani 72 (Carnation dark) is a medium-light shade in the reds family with hex #EF2C46 and RGB 239, 44, 70. Stitchers reach for it in projects featuring ladybug designs and barn scenes.
Which DMC thread matches Valdani 72?
The closest DMC match for Valdani 72 (Carnation dark) is DMC 891 (Carnation dark) with a 100% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include DMC 3705 (Melon dark, 92%) and DMC 892 (Carnation medium, 85%).
What Valdani colors are similar to 72?
The closest Valdani threads to 72 are 71 Carnation medium (ΔE 2.92), 64 Coral medium (ΔE 6.54), and 46 Carnation light (ΔE 8.52). These are useful substitutes when 72 is unavailable or for building gradients.
When should I use Valdani 72?
Reach for Valdani 72 (Carnation dark) when your project calls for ladybug designs, barn scenes, tomato patterns, roses. Its medium-light character carries both small accents and wider palette work; the harmony picks on this page show natural companions to 72.
Does Valdani 72 (Carnation dark) vary between dye lots?
Yes, mildly. Hand-dyed threads like 72 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.