873 — Dusty Blue Dark
Blues family#0F1221
Looking up Valdani 873? It's Dusty Blue Dark, a very dark blue shade (#0F1221 / RGB 15, 18, 33). Scroll down for Crescent Colors, DMC, and Anchor equivalents ranked by visual similarity, plus 8 close Valdani alternatives and curated color harmonies.
About Valdani 873
Valdani 6-Ply Floss
- Strands
- 6 ply
Brand Equivalents for Valdani 873
The five closest matches in each brand, ranked by CIEDE2000 perceptual color difference.
DMC
Anchor
Madeira
J&P Coates
Sullivans
Classic Colorworks
Weeks Dye Works
Gentle Art Sampler
Crescent Colors
Similar Valdani Colors to 873
Closest Valdani threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with Valdani 873
It pops on white and light fabric but nearly disappears on black, so pair it with a light or neutral ground.
Valdani 873 (Dusty Blue Dark) 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 873 (Dusty Blue Dark) 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 873
Valdani threads that pair well with 873, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Blues Family
Valdani873 in context with nearby shades from the blues color family.
About Valdani 873
Known as Dusty Blue Dark, Valdani 873 is a very dark, moderately saturated shade sitting in the blues family with true blue tones. Expect a striking and grounded look that suits cool-toned backgrounds, nautical themes, and similar motifs. Cross stitch enthusiasts often reach for this thread when stitching winter scenes or forget-me-nots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Valdani 873 — what color is it?
The color of Valdani 873 is Dusty Blue Dark — a very dark blue thread (hex #0F1221, RGB 15, 18, 33). It shows up most in porcelain patterns and hydrangea blooms.
What is the DMC equivalent of Valdani 873?
The closest DMC match for Valdani 873 (Dusty Blue Dark) is DMC 939 (Navy Blue very dark) with a 81% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include DMC 823 (Navy Blue dark, 67%) and DMC 310 (Black, 53%).
Which Valdani threads are close to 873?
The closest Valdani threads to 873 are M92 Black & Indigo (ΔE 5.5), 8113 Black Dark (ΔE 6.49), and 872 Dusty Blue Medium (ΔE 7.44). These are useful substitutes when 873 is unavailable or for building gradients.
What is Valdani 873 good for?
Valdani 873 (Dusty Blue Dark) is commonly used in cross-stitch projects featuring porcelain patterns, hydrangea blooms, skies, water. 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 873.
Is Valdani 873 (Dusty Blue Dark) good for backstitching and outlines?
Yes — very dark shades like 873 are among the most-used backstitch and outlining colors. Work it in a single strand over one for crisp edges, lettering, and fine detail.