Making Maths

Sonobe Units are the most versatile of modular origami units.  You can make so much with them.  They are easy to make and easy to experiment with to make lots of different shaped models. Instructions on how to make the unit that is used to make the models is here   along with the instructions on how to make the octahedral model.  Cube instructions are here For the cube you will need 6 units. For the 2 merged cubes you will need 9 units. For the Octahedron you will need 12 units. The best thing about these is that once you learn how they fit together you can make so many different things by just experimentation. There are many variations on the sonobe unit that give different looking models in the end.

  These icosahedron/dodecahedron constructions are good practice for using compasses, finding perpendicular bisectors etc. Really good instructions here.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKuyuZTw8EY

  George Hart's slide together playing card constructions are awesome.  Here is my 30 card ball.  It was a bit tricky to create but the instructions are all here  https://www.georgehart.com/cards/cards.html You will need some playing cards and be willing to cut them.  The template is on the website.  There is also a 60 card construction, but I haven't made that one yet. The inside of the ball creates a great effect.  It nicely shows the construction of the polyhedron with it's pentagonal faces.  

      Columbus Cubes are one of my favourite.  Quite satisfying to make and stack.  I keep meaning to do more with them.  I found these in a book by David Mitchell (his website  is well worth a visit!)  His page about the Columbus cubes is here .  There is also a video on YouTube on how to make them  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u-1a1UFj_k .  There's even a kusudama  to make with them.  That's on the list to do in the future . It has now been done .

      The Sonobe units are incredibly versatile. A while back, I made a puzzle cube.  I made it out of card and then painted it in PVA glue to harden it.  It isn't the greatest, but it does the trick.  One day I might make another version and attempt to make it better and more square. I found the puzzle somewhere online and then worked out how to make the pieces.  However, I have since found this  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v9PnYx7e0c  which gives full instructions on how to make it.