How to Fold an Origami Octahedron

The eight faces of an origami skeletal octahedron dazzle the eyes when held by two points and spun around with a blow of air. This origami model is for advanced artists to test their skills and design using vivid colored and designed origami paper. Read on to learn how to fold an origami octahedron.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Square origami paper (12 pieces)

1. Establish the crease lines. Fold the first piece of square origami paper both vertically and horizontally in half. Unfold and flip to the other side to crease the paper in half on both diagonals. Unfold again.

2. Push two corners together into the middle to form a star shaped model. Repeat with each of the 11 other pieces of origami paper.

3. Work in pairs. Place one star in another. Each point of the outside star goes to a different corner. Tuck those points in so that they overlap the inside star locking both stars together. Each point of the new joint star now has a pocket. Make six identical joint stars.

4. Slide one point of a joint star into the pocket of another. The pressure of the paper keeps them linked. Continue lining the joint stars until four together form a square.

5. Fit the square with a top and a bottom using the two remaining joint stars. The four points of both the top and bottom joint stars should slide into the remaining four pockets on those sides of the square model. The origami octahedron is complete.

Tips & Warnings

• Folding and creasing on a firm, flat surface gives the best results.
• Use multiple solid-colored or designed papers for a different look. When using one-sided designed paper, fold paper to place the design on the inside of the star shape. When pairing up, flip the design to appear on the outside of the star.