How to Safely Dye with Foxglove

The golden yellows you can achieve with foxglove are to die for. Literally. This plant is incredibly dangerous due to the presence of poisonous glycosides which can play havoc with your heart if ingested. Yet foxglove remains a popular garden plant all over the world and adorns many a dining room tables in bouquets. In this video I go over the safety parameters you'll need in place to ensure you can safely dye with it. In fact, maybe give it a miss all together and stick with the multitudes of other plants and mushrooms which will just as easily gives yellow but without all the precautions. You'll find many of those on my channel. For all this, the yellow it gives is very stable and lightfast.
Warning: please use good ventilation when dyeing with this plant as it can be toxic is not a good dye choice for dyeing when dyeing with children.
Patreon: / wildcraftdyeing
Don't forget to lichen subscribe to my channel for more videos on how to forage and naturally dye: / @wildcraftdyeing
Yarn for this video was donated in part by Urban Yarns (urbanyarns.com). Much appreciated!
For more in-depth discussion on mordanting, check out my video on dyeing with acorns: • How to Naturally Dye w...
New to dyeing? Start with this playlist: • New to Dyeing? Start h...
Our website: historysciencefiber.com
We're also on FB at History Science Fiber @historysciencefiber
I'm a wildlife ecologist who specializes in management and conservation of endangered species. I'm passionate about exploring the natural world and connecting people with nature through fiber and science. Please never cook using any of your dye equipment and always store your plants, lichens and mushrooms safely.Warning: please use good ventilation when dyeing with this plant as it can be toxic.
Patreon: / historysciencefiber
Don't forget to lichen subscribe to my channel for more videos on how to forage and naturally dye: / @wildcraftdyeing
Yarn for this video was donated in part by Urban Yarns (urbanyarns.com). Much appreciated!
For more in-depth discussion on mordanting, check out my video on dyeing with acorns: • How to Naturally Dye w...
New to dyeing? Start with this playlist: • New to Dyeing? Start h...
Our website: historysciencefiber.com
We're also on FB at History Science Fiber @historysciencefiber
I'm a wildlife ecologist who specializes in management and conservation of endangered species. I'm passionate about exploring the natural world and connecting people with nature through fiber and science. Please never cook using any of your dye equipment and always store your plants, lichens and mushrooms safely.

[@happyoutside2558]

I’ve been watching dyeing videos, and more and more I turn to yours. At first it was because we live in the same PNW area, so the wild plants are similar. But I like your science background and sticking to the point without a lot of “filler material”. Thanks!

[@WildcraftDyeing]

Aww thank you! One of the reasons I started the channel was because there wasn’t much out there for dyeing in the PNW. Thanks again - made my evening! 💕 🧶

[@user-ou4xm7wh3l]

I just wanted to say that I am getting SO much out of your videos!!! I really appreciate the fact that you bring so much actual scientific knowledge to every video. I’ve learned so much! Dyed some handspun with foxglove this weekend (outside in designated equipment) and it came out such a beautiful butter yellow! Thank you again for sharing your knowledge!!! Can’t wait to see what’s next.

[@WildcraftDyeing]

Wow!!! Thank you so much! I super appreciate that. Next up is getting five colours with carrot tops and then coreopsis - luminous orange with a pinch of soda ash! Thanks again for the kind words and so excited to hear you dyed your handspun with foraged plants. Yay!!!

[@odeideleon1791]

Great new dye resource; is it only the pink fox glove? What happens with the white>

[@WildcraftDyeing]

White should also give the same bright results. Just use the whole plant - leaves, stems/stock, etc. But let me know how it goes! I’ve just gone with pink and purple as I had lots of choice.

[@odeideleon1791]

I will but it will have to wait for the next spring batch @@WildcraftDyeing

[@kitch-n-witch9280]

Is it safe to put foxglove in your compost if you use the compost in a vegetable garden?

[@WildcraftDyeing]

Oooohhh!!! What a great question. I wish I had thought to put that in the video! I did some digging and every report I’m seeing is that it is safe to compost because the glycosides breakdown during the decomposing process. Here is one report for example (I’ve looked for something a little more official looking in terms of what the vetting would be for people who are responding but it’s still consistent with every source I’m seeing): ask2.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=662995

[@uoohknk6881]

@@WildcraftDyeing Simple answer is NO! Digitalis should not even be used within the kitchen. Digitalis is used as a very potent heart medication. Every nurse knows this. It can literally kill you if ingested. I would personally never even handle digitalis. I would just leave it to be in nature.