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/
On any given day at UMD, you’ll find students learning, professors teaching…and Dr. Twu carding wool in their down time! Work on the Book of The North is constant, even as we head into these colder months!
#minnesota #minnesotan #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flax #flaxseed #umdbulldogs
#minnesota #minnesotan #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flax #flaxseed #umdbulldogs
November 25, 2025 at 10:32 PM
On any given day at UMD, you’ll find students learning, professors teaching…and Dr. Twu carding wool in their down time! Work on the Book of The North is constant, even as we head into these colder months!
#minnesota #minnesotan #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flax #flaxseed #umdbulldogs
#minnesota #minnesotan #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flax #flaxseed #umdbulldogs
An important method of making ink from the 2nd century BCE to the 1800s used oak galls as an ingredient.
We’ve started some blogs about ink! Learn how to make ink yourself in a recipe, everything can be find in our bio and story!
We’ve started some blogs about ink! Learn how to make ink yourself in a recipe, everything can be find in our bio and story!
November 18, 2025 at 5:55 PM
An important method of making ink from the 2nd century BCE to the 1800s used oak galls as an ingredient.
We’ve started some blogs about ink! Learn how to make ink yourself in a recipe, everything can be find in our bio and story!
We’ve started some blogs about ink! Learn how to make ink yourself in a recipe, everything can be find in our bio and story!
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!
As November settles in and winter looms near, we’ll have more and more to share with all of you, whom without we would not have this amazing project. From all of us on the team, thank you, and here’s to months ahead with more culture and crafts of the northland!
November 5, 2025 at 7:48 PM
As November settles in and winter looms near, we’ll have more and more to share with all of you, whom without we would not have this amazing project. From all of us on the team, thank you, and here’s to months ahead with more culture and crafts of the northland!
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.
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.
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!
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
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!
“Think about applying to the apocalypse team. After this, you’ll be the one who can make socks!” -Dr. Twu
#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 17, 2025 at 5:44 PM
“Think about applying to the apocalypse team. After this, you’ll be the one who can make socks!” -Dr. Twu
#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
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.
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
Another wonderful spotlight, this time from the New Chaucer Studies: Pedagogy and Profession newsletter! Learn more about the project and Dr. Krista Twu in this article!
ncspedagogyandprofession.org/2025/08/30/k...
#minnesota #minnesotan #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flax #flaxseed
ncspedagogyandprofession.org/2025/08/30/k...
#minnesota #minnesotan #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flax #flaxseed
September 5, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Another wonderful spotlight, this time from the New Chaucer Studies: Pedagogy and Profession newsletter! Learn more about the project and Dr. Krista Twu in this article!
ncspedagogyandprofession.org/2025/08/30/k...
#minnesota #minnesotan #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flax #flaxseed
ncspedagogyandprofession.org/2025/08/30/k...
#minnesota #minnesotan #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flax #flaxseed
Some local spotlight, thank you so much Fox 21!
Check our story or Fox 21’s website to see the full video and article!
www.fox21online.com/2025/09/03/u...
#minnesota #minnesotan #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flax #flaxseed #umdbulldogs #umn #umnduluth #umnproud #bulldogs
Check our story or Fox 21’s website to see the full video and article!
www.fox21online.com/2025/09/03/u...
#minnesota #minnesotan #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flax #flaxseed #umdbulldogs #umn #umnduluth #umnproud #bulldogs
September 5, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Some local spotlight, thank you so much Fox 21!
Check our story or Fox 21’s website to see the full video and article!
www.fox21online.com/2025/09/03/u...
#minnesota #minnesotan #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flax #flaxseed #umdbulldogs #umn #umnduluth #umnproud #bulldogs
Check our story or Fox 21’s website to see the full video and article!
www.fox21online.com/2025/09/03/u...
#minnesota #minnesotan #uofm #umd #umdcahss #education #nature #flax #flaxseed #umdbulldogs #umn #umnduluth #umnproud #bulldogs
To everyone who made the trip out to harvest flax with us today, thank you so much! You’ve become a part of a project encompassing all of Minnesota, and every single contribution makes this work possible. Here’s some highlights from the day!
September 3, 2025 at 9:55 PM
To everyone who made the trip out to harvest flax with us today, thank you so much! You’ve become a part of a project encompassing all of Minnesota, and every single contribution makes this work possible. Here’s some highlights from the day!
From all of us on the Book of The North team, we'd like to wish everyone a happy and relaxing Labor Day!
#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 1, 2025 at 6:51 PM
From all of us on the Book of The North team, we'd like to wish everyone a happy and relaxing Labor Day!
#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