As a closet botanist, I am interested in floral geometry – many flowers are based on pentagons:

This is “Star Katrina”, a beautiful kusudama designed by Xander Perrott. Folded from 30 x 2:root 3 rectangles cleaved from squares of Tuttle Indigo dye duo paper over the last couple of days.

The unit is based on a tight triangle grid – fairly easy to fold accurately and the locking mechanism is so positive that this kusudama is held together via paper tension and friction only (no glue, truly, none).

This design was taught by Xander, live, via Zoom as one of the models in the Origami World Marathon 2024. It is such a privilege to be able to be taught a model by the actual designer – the insight and experience shines though, particularly when they are a good teacher.

I love this spikey ball – the colour change elements form pentagonal stars/flowers reminiscent of Morning Glory of Convolvulus flowers (both very successful weeds). There is lots going on here – the colour change areas punctuate a field of corrugated spikes in strange beautiful ways – such a cool design, one of many of Xander’s models I have folded.