By Florence Temko, presented by Origami Swami (December 19, 1999)
During the Hanukkah holiday, children play a game with a spinning top called a dreidel. You can make origami dreidels for table decorations, hanging mobiles, greeting cards, etc. For each dreidel you will need one paper square about 6 to 8 inches.
Step 1: Fold the paper in half, then unfold.
Step 2: Fold two corners to the crease you just made.
Step3: Fold both sides to the middle.
Step 4: Fold the short edge to the pointed end.
Step 5: Fold up again, leaving a pleat.
Step 6: Fold the corners in, as shown. Unfold them again.
Step 7: Fold the outside edges to the middle. As you do this, small triangles form. See next drawing. Sharpen all creases.
Step 8: Turn the paper over to the other side.
The finished dreidel.
If you would like to order a copy of the book Jewish Origami, please click on the image.
Reproduced with permission from "Jewish Origami" by Florence Temko. Published by HEIAN, copyright 1991.
