DMC 3712 — Medium Salmon

Experienced stitchers will immediately notice something curious: DMC 3712 and DMC 3702 both carry the name "Medium Salmon" and share the same Anchor equivalent (1023) and Madeira equivalent (0407). This isn't an error — it's a genuine quirk of how DMC organized its extended color range when the 3700s series was introduced. The two threads are distinct colors (3712 at #F18787 is slightly pinker and lighter than 3702's #E86868), but they're close enough that the cross-brand equivalents didn't differentiate them. Understanding which one your pattern means is a real practical skill.

Distinguishing the Two Medium Salmons

In practice, DMC 3712 reads as slightly warmer and slightly more pink-leaning than DMC 3702. At #E88080, it has a quality that sits just a half-step toward pink compared to 3702's slightly more orange-red reading. Holding the two skeins together, most stitchers can see the difference, but in isolation they're easy to confuse. The practical rule many stitchers use: 3712 appears in the 3700s family sequence used for warm skin tones and general warm pink shading, while 3702 appears in the older salmon sequence (3700-3704). If your pattern uses both families, context usually clarifies which is intended.

Both threads have exact match ratings from Anchor 1023 and Madeira 0407, which means cross-brand converters haven't distinguished between them. If you're buying substitutes, you'll essentially get the same thread for either — a situation that works out fine for most projects, since the colors are close enough to substitute for each other in all but the most critical gradient work.

Design Applications

DMC 3712 appears frequently in skin-tone palettes for warm, peachy complexions. It works as a mid-tone where DMC 3713 (Very Light Salmon) handles the lightest skin areas and DMC 3700 (Light Salmon) or deeper values handle the shadows. For cherub faces, portrait subjects, and figure work, 3712's specific warm-pink quality captures the blush and warmth of living skin more convincingly than either pure pink or pure coral.

In non-figurative work, 3712 functions as a warm, medium-saturated pink suitable for floral fills, decorative borders, and folk art motifs. Its value level — mid-range but with good saturation — means it holds up well in both large fill areas and detail work. Backstitching with a slightly darker companion like DMC 3702 or DMC 3703 (Dark Salmon) over 3712 fills produces clean definition without drastic contrast.

For stitchers who prefer 18-count or finer fabric, 3712 in a single strand delivers precise, detailed coverage — the medium saturation means individual stitches read clearly without overwhelming the design's fine structure. This makes it well-suited to detailed botanical patterns and fine portraiture on high-count evenweave.