Simple Origami Crab

Donya Quick

Difficulty: easy
Recommended paper: thin

This model was intended to be a minimum fold-count crab, requiring 24 folds to

obtain the basic features: claws, eyes, and flaps representing the tucked walking legs.
Thin paper should be used to avoid difficulty after the first few steps, particularly if the
piece of paper is small (10cm per side or less).

Begin with the paper white side up.

Step 1 (4 folds): fold and unfold along the lines shown.

Step 2 (1 fold): collapse along the indicated lines to form the waterbomb base.

Step 3 (1 fold): fold both of the lower left flaps up at the same time.

Step 4 (1 fold): rabbit ear fold both of the flaps down.

Step 5 (2 folds): repeat steps 3-4 on the other side.

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Step 6 (2 folds): fold both sides in to the center.

Step 7 (2 folds): fold the ends of both flaps back out. They should form a flat line on the
upper sides.

Step 8 (1 fold): fold the topmost flap down using the flaps formed in step 7 as a guide.

Step 9 (2 folds): invert some of the folds so that the flaps formed in step 7 sit on top.

Step 10 (1 fold): squash fold. This fold should be done symmetrically so that the inner
flap is flattened and separable at the tip from the flap that encompasses it.

Step 11 (1 fold): repeat step 10 on the other side.

Step 12 (2 folds): crimp the upper flap to form the claw.

Step 13 (1 fold) repeat step 12 on the other side.

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Step 14 (1 fold): fold the lower center flap up as far as it will go.

Step 15 (2 folds): pull out some paper on each side of the flap.

Step 16: rabbit ear fold to form the eyes.

Step 17 (1 shaping fold): turn the model over and shape it by folding the flaps
representing the legs inwards. The model should be rounded slightly.

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