MAKALU Modular Origami Sculpture - 6 Woven Pentagons

Howzit guys and gals!

This is one of the 5 Himalayan peaks of origami folding, but don't let that deter you, it is a relatively easy model to fold. (compared to my previous instructable at least!)

This is the first time these instructions are being made public on the internet, so appreciate it :) 

What you will need:
Patience
Good music
15 squares of paper.

This is a relatively sturdy model, and holds together well with no glue or attachments.

Ok lets jump right in!

Step 1: The Paper!

Ok first things first:

Good music! 

You want something thats slow, mathematical, interesting and not too distracting. Carbon Based Lifeforms are perfect: https://soundcloud.com/carbonbasedlifeforms/mos-6581-album-version-1

Ok paper!

Cut your squares in half. 

Accurately.

You should have 30 rectangles with 2x1 dimensions. No rocket science here.

Step 2: The Folding Begins!

If you are using coloured paper, start with the white side up.

Valley fold your paper in half lenthwise. 
(valley fold=fold the 2 sides towards your face, making a valley. Mountain fold=fold the 2 sides away from your face, making a mountain)

Do this again, folding your paper accurately into quarters.

Step 3: Guideline Creases

Valley fold the bottom right corner over, as if you were folding the paper again into 8ths, but only fold the bottom cm or so.
Unfold.
This is called a guideline crease, it is used as a marker for later on.
Check da photos.

Step 4: More Guideline Creases

Valley fold the top right corner down and the bottom left corner up to the middle.

Unfold.

These are also guideline creases, for the first couple fold the whole way, but as you get the feel for it you will notice that you only have to crease a small area to use as a guideline.

Less creases=more elegant model.

Step 5:

Valley fold the bottom left corner up until it just touches the guideline crease you just made, and make sure that the corner of the crease in exactly at the previous guideline fold you made.

This isn't difficult, check the photos.

Repeat on the top end.

Step 6:

Fold the edges in to the middle.
Should look like this.

Step 7:

Open the top right corner and REVERSE the corner along the existing creases so that it lies open. Fold the model flat again so that it looks like the photo. 2 out of the 3 creases necessary here are already in place.

Repeat on the bottom left.

Fold the model in half once this is done.
Crease the top and the bottom where your new folds cross the midline (about where my thumb and middle finger are in the picture)

Step 8:

Valley fold the bottom bit up along the level that already exists there. This is self explanatory if you are doing it.

Step 9:

Mountain fold (away from you) the little white bit on the left side of the model around to the other side of the model, hugging the edge as closely as you can.
Should look like this.

Repeat on the top side.

Step 10:

Unfold the last 2 folds you just made, your model should look like this.

Tuck your flaps in where they belong.

Well done, the model is done.

Make another 29 (groan).

Step 11: The Fun Begins :)

Ok you're over the hump, now onto the fun stuff!
If you made it this far, well done, this is where it gets cool!

You have made the pieces, now to put the puzzle together...

Put 2 pieces end to end and tuck their flaps into one another as shown.
You will notice that the pieces are not flat when they are put together.

Once they are properly and neatly tucked in, pinch the top edge to secure them.

Step 12:

Put 5 of these together in a pentagon.

Well done, first pentagon done!

Step 13:

Make a second pentagon, and loop it into the first one.

Then arrange them as shown on the photo (this is important. Hold them like this).

Step 14: 3rd Pentagon

Make a third pentagon, and loop it into the first 2.

Notice the triangles where the 3 pentagons meet: This is important. Top and bottom.

Step 15:

4th pentagon: The hardest one
This is the hardest one to put in.
As you put it in, you will notice the triangular pattern as it crosses the previous 3.

There is a rule: Each pentagon must intersect each other one, once and once only. This isn't very helpful.

Try to figure it out from the photos.
Look at the pattern at the base (first photo), you should see this at the top as well. Where you had 1 triangle, you now have 2.

The first 3 you put in relatively upright, this one you must put in at an angle.

Step 16: Number 5

The fith one is a bit easier, by now you will start seeing where the pieces go.

Here it is easier to put the pentagon in in segments of 1 or 2 pieces and attaching the pieces once they are in place.
You can see this is what I have been doing.

Step 17: Final One!

The last pentagon is easy, you will see where it has to go, just follow the symmetry.

I made the last one golden, it adds a nice contrast.

This pentagon you will have to put in piece by piece.

Well done!

Put it in a spot where people can ooh and aah at it :)

I hope you enjoyed my instructable, please post photos if you end up making it :)