Pantone Color 2021: Grey and Yellow as a DMC Palette

Which color of embroidery thread matches the Pantone color of 2021? For this translation to embroidery thread, we compared the digital color approach with the DMC colors from the Embroidery Library. Then we built a complete palette around it.

What is PANTONE 17-5104 and 13-0647 Ultimate Gray and Illuminating?

For 2021, Pantone chose not one but two colors. Ultimate Gray stands for a solid, reliable foundation; Illuminating adds the optimism of bright sunlight. Together you create a combination that feels down-to-earth and cheerful at the same time.

Read the Pantone Color of the Year 2021.

Which DMC color comes closest?

The closest digital DMC matches are DMC 414 Standard Gray Dark for Ultimate Gray and DMC 307 Citroen for Illuminating.

Important: this is a practical digital approach, not an official conversion from Pantone or DMC. Screen color, dye bath, gloss, fabric color and light change how a hue is perceived. Therefore, compare the real yarn in daylight before starting a large project.

Digital color comparison; Real yarn colors may vary due to light, material and dye bath.

A DMC color palette for Ultimate Gray and Illuminating

Keep gray and yellow in balance with winter white and anthracite. A muted blue-green shade gives the palette extra depth without overshadowing the sunny yellow color.

DMC 414 – Standard Gray Dark: neutral main color.
DMC 307 – Citroen: sunny main color.
DMC 844 – Beaver Gray Ultimate Dark: dark contrast.
DMC 3865 – Winter white: light base.
DMC 3848 – Blue Green Middle: cool accent.

Dark gray embroidery thread with a slight sheen and structured fibers — **DMC 414**
Standard Gray Dark

Gold embroidery silk with subtle gray-green and orange nuances — **DMC 307**
Lemon

Deep brown embroidery threads, with a light sheen and a fine, spun texture — **DMC 844**
Beaver Gray Ultimate Dark

Soft off-white yarn with subtle yellow and gray thread structures — **DMC 3865**
Winter white

Deep turquoise embroidery thread with a light sheen and soft texture — **DMC 3848**
Blue-green Middle

View the full Pantone 2021 Color Palette in the Embroidery Library.

For a calm result, you can use about sixty percent of the main color, divide thirty percent among the supporting shades and save the last ten percent for the strongest accent.

Embroidery ideas with this color palette

This duo works well for geometric patterns, bees and sunflowers, modern house portraits, typography and blackwork with a single yellow accent stitch.

Use multiple threads for full color areas and one or two threads for soft transitions. By placing colors next to each other in small stitches, the eye blends the shades without the need for new thread colors.

Source and staining method

The color name and Pantone number have been checked at Pantone. For the thread selection, the screen approach used was converted to the CIELAB color space and compared with the RGB and hex data of the DMC colors in the Embroidery Library. The DMC color mentioned is the smallest calculated color distance; the complementary colors are selected for harmony, contrast and practicality in embroidery.

Also check out the Pantone to DMC palettes for 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.