DMC 349 — Dark Coral

DMC 349 Dark Coral: Where Red Meets Warmth

Not every red needs to be dramatic. DMC 349, Dark Coral, brings a warmth and approachability to the red family that its cooler, bluer cousins can't match. With a hex value of #CC2222, this is a medium-bright red with distinctly warm, orange-leaning undertones — the color of sun-ripened tomatoes, coral reefs in shallow water, and the warm blush on a ripe peach.

That warmth gives 349 a particular talent: rendering skin tones. In cross-stitch portraiture and figurative work, realistic skin requires a range of pinks, tans, and reds that all share a warm base. Cool reds like 321 or 498 can make lips and cheeks look artificially blue or purple against warm skin stitched in DMC's flesh-tone range (950, 951, 754, 3774). Dark Coral avoids this problem entirely. Its warm base integrates seamlessly with skin-tone palettes, making it a natural choice for lips, flushed cheeks, sunburned noses, and the rosy warmth of ears and fingertips.

Beyond portraiture, 349 finds its niche in several unexpected places. It's a go-to for certain flower species — coral roses, zinnias, and geraniums all lean toward this warm red rather than a cool one. In food-themed designs (increasingly popular in modern cross-stitch), it renders tomatoes, strawberries, and red peppers more convincingly than cooler reds do.

349 also plays a specific role in the coral color family. DMC's coral gradient runs from 352 (Light Coral) through 351 and 350 to 349 (Dark Coral), each step adding depth while maintaining that signature warmth. Having the full set gives you everything you need for realistic coral formations, sunset clouds, or layered tropical flowers.

An important visual note: 349 can look very similar to 666 (Bright Red) under artificial lighting. Under daylight, the warm undertone of 349 becomes clearly visible, separating it from 666's more neutral brightness. If you're choosing between them for a project, compare them outdoors or near a window.