Weeks Dye Works Hand-Dyed Floss

2281 — Mauve (obsolete)

Reds family

Looking up Weeks Dye Works 2281? It's Mauve (obsolete), a medium red shade (#8D6F75 / RGB 141, 111, 117). Scroll down for Sullivans, Cosmo, and Classic Colorworks equivalents ranked by visual similarity, plus 8 close Weeks Dye Works alternatives and curated color harmonies.

Hex
#8D6F75
RGB
141, 111, 117
HSL
348°, 12%, 49%
Lab
49.9, 12.8, 1.2
Lightness
49%
Medium
Saturation
12%
Neutral
Hue
348°
Family
Reds

Brand Equivalents for Weeks Dye Works 2281

Top 5 closest matches in each brand, ranked by visual color similarity. How matching works

Weeks Dye Works 2281 Mauve (obsolete)

Sullivans

Cocoa Light 45459 80% Good
Shell Grey Dark 45101 67% Approx
Beige Brown Light 45239 55% Fair
Shell Grey Medium 45102 47% Fair
Antique Violet Light 45327 45% Fair

Crescent Colours

Plum Paisley 149 69% Approx
Root Beer Float 027 66% Approx
Purple Toile 058 53% Fair
Bunny Honey 141 51% Fair
Cinnamon Toast 115 51% Fair

Similar Weeks Dye Works Colors to 2281

Closest Weeks Dye Works threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.

Working with Weeks Dye Works 2281

On white fabric
4.5:1
On dark fabric
4.7:1
Temperature
soft warm
Closest to
mauve

It stands out clearly on both white and dark fabric, so it is an easy, versatile choice for any ground.

Hand-dyed notes

Hand-dyed threads like Weeks Dye Works 2281 (Mauve (obsolete)) 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

Weeks Dye Works 2281 (Mauve (obsolete)) sits a hair from Weeks Dye Works 2296 (Sweet Pea) (ΔE 2.93) — 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 Weeks Dye Works 2281

Weeks Dye Works threads that pair well with 2281, 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

Reds Family

Weeks Dye Works 2281 in context with nearby shades from the reds color family.

About Weeks Dye Works 2281

Meet Weeks Dye Works 2281, Mauve (obsolete) — a subdued, medium thread in the reds family with warm crimson tones. The shade reads as restrained and earthy — a go-to choice for poppies and cardinal birds. It also turns up in patterns built around apple motifs and ladybug designs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Weeks Dye Works 2281 — what color is it?

The color of Weeks Dye Works 2281 is Mauve (obsolete) — a medium red thread (hex #8D6F75, RGB 141, 111, 117). It shows up most in hearts and holiday designs.

What is the DMC equivalent of Weeks Dye Works 2281?

The closest DMC match for Weeks Dye Works 2281 (Mauve (obsolete)) is DMC 3861 (Cocoa light) with a 81% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include DMC 3042 (Antique Violet light, 66%) and DMC 451 (Shell Grey dark, 63%).

Which Weeks Dye Works threads are close to 2281?

The closest Weeks Dye Works threads to 2281 are 2296 Sweet Pea (ΔE 2.93), 2286 Thistle (ΔE 3.84), and 1313 Purple Haze (ΔE 7.21). These are useful substitutes when 2281 is unavailable or for building gradients.

What is Weeks Dye Works 2281 good for?

Weeks Dye Works 2281 (Mauve (obsolete)) is commonly used in cross-stitch projects featuring hearts, holiday designs, bold accents, berries. Its medium tone works well for standalone motifs and as part of larger palettes. This page includes color harmonies and similar shades to pair with 2281.

Does Weeks Dye Works 2281 (Mauve (obsolete)) vary between dye lots?

Yes, mildly. Hand-dyed threads like 2281 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.