Book of The North
@bookofthenorth.bsky.social
Culture, craft, and ecology of the Northland.
Funded by the University of Minnesota Imagine Fund for Arts, Humanities, and Design.
https://bookofthenorth.carrd.co/
Funded by the University of Minnesota Imagine Fund for Arts, Humanities, and Design.
https://bookofthenorth.carrd.co/
Flax, flax, flax!
Last month was our flax day! Volunteers and members of the team were out in the autumn sun, working the flax from the retted fibers into the usable, soft fibers that will be critical in crafting the Book of The North.
Last month was our flax day! Volunteers and members of the team were out in the autumn sun, working the flax from the retted fibers into the usable, soft fibers that will be critical in crafting the Book of The North.
November 12, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Flax, flax, flax!
Last month was our flax day! Volunteers and members of the team were out in the autumn sun, working the flax from the retted fibers into the usable, soft fibers that will be critical in crafting the Book of The North.
Last month was our flax day! Volunteers and members of the team were out in the autumn sun, working the flax from the retted fibers into the usable, soft fibers that will be critical in crafting the Book of The North.
Lapis Lazuli, Iron Oxide, Walnuts, Oak Galls, more photos from our ink making workshop last month! So many different and strange materials go into the Book of The North, there’s too many to count!
November 7, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Lapis Lazuli, Iron Oxide, Walnuts, Oak Galls, more photos from our ink making workshop last month! So many different and strange materials go into the Book of The North, there’s too many to count!
October was an incredible month for the Book of The North! Our team and community harvested nettles and flax, learned to make ink out of all sorts of things, wrote beautiful scripts in medieval styles, but most importantly, came together as a community.
November 5, 2025 at 7:48 PM
October was an incredible month for the Book of The North! Our team and community harvested nettles and flax, learned to make ink out of all sorts of things, wrote beautiful scripts in medieval styles, but most importantly, came together as a community.
Alongside learning how to make ink, students and parents also had the opportunity this month to attend a workshop on medieval calligraphy, with our very own Dr. Twu!
October 30, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Alongside learning how to make ink, students and parents also had the opportunity this month to attend a workshop on medieval calligraphy, with our very own Dr. Twu!
Earlier this month, some volunteers gathered to harvest oak galls for the Book of The North! Though the leaves here in northern Minnesota have changed and are falling, the day was green and beautiful. These galls will be used in some of the ink that will be in the book.
October 27, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Earlier this month, some volunteers gathered to harvest oak galls for the Book of The North! Though the leaves here in northern Minnesota have changed and are falling, the day was green and beautiful. These galls will be used in some of the ink that will be in the book.
Marked by a wide variety of usage and style, Italic scripts such as Cancelleresca (Chancery) and Mercantesca (Merchant) developed in 14th century Italy for use among merchants, notaries, and public servants.
The last of our font blog posts in now live!
www.bookofthenorth.com/post/cancell...
The last of our font blog posts in now live!
www.bookofthenorth.com/post/cancell...
Cancelleresca Formata, Corsiva, Italica
Post 5 of 5
Marked by a wide variety of usage and style, Italic scripts such as Cancelleresca (Chancery) and Mercantesca (Merchant) developed in 14th century Italy for use among merchants, notaries, ...
www.bookofthenorth.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Marked by a wide variety of usage and style, Italic scripts such as Cancelleresca (Chancery) and Mercantesca (Merchant) developed in 14th century Italy for use among merchants, notaries, and public servants.
The last of our font blog posts in now live!
www.bookofthenorth.com/post/cancell...
The last of our font blog posts in now live!
www.bookofthenorth.com/post/cancell...
Last Friday, Dr. Elizabeth Hebbard and Dr. Twu gave a very special presentation and workshop on the process of medieval ink creation!
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend! We are so honored by any and all community participation in this project.
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend! We are so honored by any and all community participation in this project.
October 20, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Last Friday, Dr. Elizabeth Hebbard and Dr. Twu gave a very special presentation and workshop on the process of medieval ink creation!
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend! We are so honored by any and all community participation in this project.
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend! We are so honored by any and all community participation in this project.
Walnuts and thorn berries will play a crucial roll in creating the ink for the Book of The North. Last Thursday, we sat down with Dr. Twu to see how it’s made, from the tree to the page.
Dr. Twu also did some writing in Bâtarde, a font for use in the book, to test the ink to beautiful results.
Dr. Twu also did some writing in Bâtarde, a font for use in the book, to test the ink to beautiful results.
October 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Walnuts and thorn berries will play a crucial roll in creating the ink for the Book of The North. Last Thursday, we sat down with Dr. Twu to see how it’s made, from the tree to the page.
Dr. Twu also did some writing in Bâtarde, a font for use in the book, to test the ink to beautiful results.
Dr. Twu also did some writing in Bâtarde, a font for use in the book, to test the ink to beautiful results.
Louise Young lives along the Amnicon River in a Finnish community known as Outer Mongolia and is a Flax expert, ecologist, and fiber artist on the Book of The North!
And this Saturday, join Louise and others for Flax Day!
www.bookofthenorth.com/post/biograp...
And this Saturday, join Louise and others for Flax Day!
www.bookofthenorth.com/post/biograp...
Biography: Louise Young
Louise Young lives along the Amnicon River in a Finnish community known as Outer Mongolia. On her way there, she worked on an assembly line that produced Jovan Musk perfume (“Get It On!”), gave birth ...
www.bookofthenorth.com
October 15, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Louise Young lives along the Amnicon River in a Finnish community known as Outer Mongolia and is a Flax expert, ecologist, and fiber artist on the Book of The North!
And this Saturday, join Louise and others for Flax Day!
www.bookofthenorth.com/post/biograp...
And this Saturday, join Louise and others for Flax Day!
www.bookofthenorth.com/post/biograp...
In the later middle ages, Bâtarde (also called “Secretary”) originated in the late 13th century for accurate record keeping.
Learn the history of the another medieval font in our 4th of 5 blog posts on fonts and writing!
www.bookofthenorth.com/post/b%C3%A2...
Learn the history of the another medieval font in our 4th of 5 blog posts on fonts and writing!
www.bookofthenorth.com/post/b%C3%A2...
Bâtarde / Secretary
In the later middle ages, Bâtarde (also called “Secretary”) originated in the late 13th century for accurate record keeping, especially in courtrooms, and quickly established itself as a less formal b...
https://www.bookofthenorth.com/post/bâtarde---secretary
October 13, 2025 at 8:08 PM
In the later middle ages, Bâtarde (also called “Secretary”) originated in the late 13th century for accurate record keeping.
Learn the history of the another medieval font in our 4th of 5 blog posts on fonts and writing!
www.bookofthenorth.com/post/b%C3%A2...
Learn the history of the another medieval font in our 4th of 5 blog posts on fonts and writing!
www.bookofthenorth.com/post/b%C3%A2...
My name is Justin Ciletti, and I am one of two student managers of the UMD Land Lab! I study environmental science, and I hope to go to graduate school for soil science to continue my agricultural education.
The second biography blog post is live, check it out on our website! Link in bio!
The second biography blog post is live, check it out on our website! Link in bio!
October 8, 2025 at 8:34 PM
My name is Justin Ciletti, and I am one of two student managers of the UMD Land Lab! I study environmental science, and I hope to go to graduate school for soil science to continue my agricultural education.
The second biography blog post is live, check it out on our website! Link in bio!
The second biography blog post is live, check it out on our website! Link in bio!
Friday next week, October 17th!
The Book of The North will be hosting two events l, free and open to the public, at the UMD Kathryn A. Martin Library! At 1:00 PM, join Dr. Elizabeth Hebbard in an ink making workshop! At 5:00 PM, learn about the Bayeaux Tapestry, also by Dr. Hebbard! Join us!
The Book of The North will be hosting two events l, free and open to the public, at the UMD Kathryn A. Martin Library! At 1:00 PM, join Dr. Elizabeth Hebbard in an ink making workshop! At 5:00 PM, learn about the Bayeaux Tapestry, also by Dr. Hebbard! Join us!
October 7, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Friday next week, October 17th!
The Book of The North will be hosting two events l, free and open to the public, at the UMD Kathryn A. Martin Library! At 1:00 PM, join Dr. Elizabeth Hebbard in an ink making workshop! At 5:00 PM, learn about the Bayeaux Tapestry, also by Dr. Hebbard! Join us!
The Book of The North will be hosting two events l, free and open to the public, at the UMD Kathryn A. Martin Library! At 1:00 PM, join Dr. Elizabeth Hebbard in an ink making workshop! At 5:00 PM, learn about the Bayeaux Tapestry, also by Dr. Hebbard! Join us!
Would you like to know more about the fiber materials and fiber work that will go into the Book of The North? Next Monday, you can join us and learn at the Fiber Guild Studio in West Duluth!
The talk will run from 6:30PM - 8:00PM! The address is 2701 W Superior St, Suite 210, Duluth, MN. Join us!
The talk will run from 6:30PM - 8:00PM! The address is 2701 W Superior St, Suite 210, Duluth, MN. Join us!
October 3, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Would you like to know more about the fiber materials and fiber work that will go into the Book of The North? Next Monday, you can join us and learn at the Fiber Guild Studio in West Duluth!
The talk will run from 6:30PM - 8:00PM! The address is 2701 W Superior St, Suite 210, Duluth, MN. Join us!
The talk will run from 6:30PM - 8:00PM! The address is 2701 W Superior St, Suite 210, Duluth, MN. Join us!
Apologies, a correction on this post, nettles will be used for creating the paper for the Book of The North!
Last Friday, volunteers and members of the Book of The North team took to the wetlands in northern Minnesota to harvest nettles for the project! These nettles will play an important part in creating the ink.
#minnesota #minnesotan #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flaxseed #umdbulldogs
#minnesota #minnesotan #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flaxseed #umdbulldogs
October 3, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Apologies, a correction on this post, nettles will be used for creating the paper for the Book of The North!
My name is Abby Magruder and I am a senior at UMD finishing a B.S. in Biology. I have been working at the Land Lab for 2 years and this year I co-managed the farm!
The first of many biography blog posts is now live, as is the official Book of The North website!
www.bookofthenorth.com/post/biograp...
The first of many biography blog posts is now live, as is the official Book of The North website!
www.bookofthenorth.com/post/biograp...
Biography: Abby Magruder
Note: Hello! This is the first in a series of biography blogs about everyone who is key in bringing the Book of The North to life! Every week, we will feature a new individual.
My name is Abby Magrud...
www.bookofthenorth.com
October 1, 2025 at 5:12 PM
My name is Abby Magruder and I am a senior at UMD finishing a B.S. in Biology. I have been working at the Land Lab for 2 years and this year I co-managed the farm!
The first of many biography blog posts is now live, as is the official Book of The North website!
www.bookofthenorth.com/post/biograp...
The first of many biography blog posts is now live, as is the official Book of The North website!
www.bookofthenorth.com/post/biograp...
The milkweed is growing out of control!
Mark your calendars, next week, Wednesday, October 8th, the UMD Landlab will be hosting a milkweed harvesting event that is open to everyone! That includes you! The event will run from 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM.
The address is 3568 Riley Rd, Duluth, MN, 55803!
Mark your calendars, next week, Wednesday, October 8th, the UMD Landlab will be hosting a milkweed harvesting event that is open to everyone! That includes you! The event will run from 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM.
The address is 3568 Riley Rd, Duluth, MN, 55803!
September 29, 2025 at 8:01 PM
The milkweed is growing out of control!
Mark your calendars, next week, Wednesday, October 8th, the UMD Landlab will be hosting a milkweed harvesting event that is open to everyone! That includes you! The event will run from 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM.
The address is 3568 Riley Rd, Duluth, MN, 55803!
Mark your calendars, next week, Wednesday, October 8th, the UMD Landlab will be hosting a milkweed harvesting event that is open to everyone! That includes you! The event will run from 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM.
The address is 3568 Riley Rd, Duluth, MN, 55803!
From our very own Dr. Twu, some lessons on flax fibers and processing. These fibers will play a critical role in the crafting of the Book of The North. Using medieval techniques, flax and many other natural materials will be used in to create this symbol of Minnesotan culture and ecology.
September 26, 2025 at 5:56 PM
From our very own Dr. Twu, some lessons on flax fibers and processing. These fibers will play a critical role in the crafting of the Book of The North. Using medieval techniques, flax and many other natural materials will be used in to create this symbol of Minnesotan culture and ecology.
Last Friday, volunteers and members of the Book of The North team took to the wetlands in northern Minnesota to harvest nettles for the project! These nettles will play an important part in creating the ink.
#minnesota #minnesotan #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flaxseed #umdbulldogs
#minnesota #minnesotan #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flaxseed #umdbulldogs
September 24, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Last Friday, volunteers and members of the Book of The North team took to the wetlands in northern Minnesota to harvest nettles for the project! These nettles will play an important part in creating the ink.
#minnesota #minnesotan #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flaxseed #umdbulldogs
#minnesota #minnesotan #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flaxseed #umdbulldogs
Developed in the early 12th century, Textura Quadrata packs letters and words closely together so that they look like woven cloth. “Textura” means “woven” in Latin, and we get the word “textile” from it.
www.linkedin.com/posts/krista...
www.linkedin.com/posts/krista...
Textura Quadrata
Part 3 of 5
As monasteries began to share the propagation of learning with scholastic universities through the later Middle Ages, a new script rose in popularity. Developed in the…...
Textura Quadrata
Part 3 of 5
As monasteries began to share the propagation of learning with scholastic universities through the later Middle Ages, a new script rose in popularity. Developed in the ...
www.linkedin.com
September 22, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Developed in the early 12th century, Textura Quadrata packs letters and words closely together so that they look like woven cloth. “Textura” means “woven” in Latin, and we get the word “textile” from it.
www.linkedin.com/posts/krista...
www.linkedin.com/posts/krista...
When you think of Book of The North, obviously you think of…geometry?
Yesterday, Dr. Twu visited some geometry classes at Duluth East High School for a special lesson on the geometry of medieval books!
Yesterday, Dr. Twu visited some geometry classes at Duluth East High School for a special lesson on the geometry of medieval books!
September 19, 2025 at 5:23 PM
When you think of Book of The North, obviously you think of…geometry?
Yesterday, Dr. Twu visited some geometry classes at Duluth East High School for a special lesson on the geometry of medieval books!
Yesterday, Dr. Twu visited some geometry classes at Duluth East High School for a special lesson on the geometry of medieval books!
Last Monday, the students of Dr. Twu’s Nature Writing course gathered in Ordean Court here at UMD to strip Milkweed!
Specially, these are late fallen stalks of Milkweed, which grows naturally here in Minnesota.
Specially, these are late fallen stalks of Milkweed, which grows naturally here in Minnesota.
September 17, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Last Monday, the students of Dr. Twu’s Nature Writing course gathered in Ordean Court here at UMD to strip Milkweed!
Specially, these are late fallen stalks of Milkweed, which grows naturally here in Minnesota.
Specially, these are late fallen stalks of Milkweed, which grows naturally here in Minnesota.
Alcuin of York, advisor to Charlemagne and master of the palace school, developed the font Caroline minuscule to promote Latin language literacy across the Carolingian empire.
The second of five blog posts on writing and fonts for Book of The North is out now!
www.linkedin.com/posts/krista...
The second of five blog posts on writing and fonts for Book of The North is out now!
www.linkedin.com/posts/krista...
Caroline Miniscule
Part 2 of 5
Alcuin of York, advisor to Charlemagne and master of the palace school, developed Caroline miniscule to promote Latin language literacy across the Carolingian empire.…...
Caroline Miniscule
Part 2 of 5
Alcuin of York, advisor to Charlemagne and master of the palace school, developed Caroline miniscule to promote Latin language literacy across the Carolingian empire. ...
www.linkedin.com
September 15, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Alcuin of York, advisor to Charlemagne and master of the palace school, developed the font Caroline minuscule to promote Latin language literacy across the Carolingian empire.
The second of five blog posts on writing and fonts for Book of The North is out now!
www.linkedin.com/posts/krista...
The second of five blog posts on writing and fonts for Book of The North is out now!
www.linkedin.com/posts/krista...
How often do you think about writing? Ink marking paper, typing fingers summoning words to a screen through a technical combination of hardware and software. We perform these actions so often, questions of their origins rarely cross our minds.
www.linkedin.com/posts/krista...
www.linkedin.com/posts/krista...
A Short History of Writing
Part 1 of 5
How often do you think about the mechanics of writing? Ink marking paper, typing fingers summoning words to a screen through a technical combination of… | Kri...
A Short History of Writing
Part 1 of 5
How often do you think about the mechanics of writing? Ink marking paper, typing fingers summoning words to a screen through a technical combination of hardwa...
www.linkedin.com
September 12, 2025 at 5:11 PM
How often do you think about writing? Ink marking paper, typing fingers summoning words to a screen through a technical combination of hardware and software. We perform these actions so often, questions of their origins rarely cross our minds.
www.linkedin.com/posts/krista...
www.linkedin.com/posts/krista...
From our flax harvesting last Wednesday, a bit about the process of flax harvesting and processing from Louise Young, our flax expert and ecologist!
#minnesota #minnesotan #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flax #flaxseed #umdbulldogs #umn #umnduluth #umnproud #bulldogs
#minnesota #minnesotan #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flax #flaxseed #umdbulldogs #umn #umnduluth #umnproud #bulldogs
September 10, 2025 at 9:37 PM
From our flax harvesting last Wednesday, a bit about the process of flax harvesting and processing from Louise Young, our flax expert and ecologist!
#minnesota #minnesotan #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flax #flaxseed #umdbulldogs #umn #umnduluth #umnproud #bulldogs
#minnesota #minnesotan #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flax #flaxseed #umdbulldogs #umn #umnduluth #umnproud #bulldogs
Did you know? Recycling is far from a modern concept. Many of the centuries-old books we see have pages made from people’s used clothes. Dr. Twu brought some old books to the flax harvesting event, some that are older than America!
#minnesota #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flax #umn
#minnesota #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flax #umn
September 8, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Did you know? Recycling is far from a modern concept. Many of the centuries-old books we see have pages made from people’s used clothes. Dr. Twu brought some old books to the flax harvesting event, some that are older than America!
#minnesota #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flax #umn
#minnesota #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flax #umn