There is something oddly satisfying about origami that leaves the table and stands up on its own, and this squid is exactly that kind of model. You get two versions here. The first is the one to fold when you have five minutes and a spare square of paper: a handful of creases, a couple of crane-style folds, and a squid that already looks like it is drifting. The second is the one to fold on a slow afternoon. It takes nineteen steps, splits sections into halves and thirds, evens out the layers on both sides and finishes by gently inflating the body, which is the moment the paper stops looking like a folded wedge and starts looking like a sea creature. Fold the easy one first to learn the shape, then come back for the long version when you want the details.

Here are two ways to fold a three-dimensional squid.

The first one is simple enough for anyone to fold, while the second one is a more involved, full-fledged way to fold a squid.

Try both and see which one you like.

How to Fold Squid 1

STEP 1. Make a crease along the diagonal.

STEP 2. Fold the left and right sides in toward the center.

STEP 3. Fold it in half.

STEP 4. Fold the left and right sides in half again.

STEP 5. Turn the paper over and open it out as shown.

STEP 6. Turn it over and fold it the same way to form a diamond.

STEP 7. Turn one layer over to the right.

STEP 8. Fold the left and right edges in to the center crease.

STEP 9. Turn it over and fold it the same way.

STEP 10. Turn one layer over on both sides.

STEP 11. Fold the left point up the way you would fold a crane.

STEP 12. Fold the right side the same way.

STEP 13. Make a notch in the left tip and you are done.

How to Fold Squid 2

STEP 1. Crease the paper in half vertically, in half horizontally, and along both diagonals.

STEP 2. Collapse it into a diamond shape.

STEP 3. Fold the left and right edges in to the center and crease them again.

STEP 4. Bring the right corner over to the left, open the inside and flatten it.

STEP 5. Fold the left side over and open the inside.

STEP 6. Turn it over and fold it the same way.

STEP 7. Divide the right side into three equal parts.

STEP 8. Fold the left side in half.

STEP 9. Fold it in half again.

STEP 10. Turn it over and fold it the same way.

STEP 11. Turn one layer over.

STEP 12. Next, fold the right side in half twice.

STEP 13. Divide the left side into three equal parts.

STEP 14. Do the same on the right side: halve the remaining section twice, then divide the left side into three equal parts.

STEP 15. Turn the corners over so that the underside becomes visible from the top, as shown. Turn the same number of layers on the back so that both sides end up with the same thickness.

STEP 16. Fold the left and right corners the way you would shape a crane head. These become the eyes of the squid.

STEP 17. Fold along the dotted line to the inside.

STEP 18. Fold it about halfway over.

STEP 19. Inflate the lower part little by little and you are done. The paper tears easily here, so handle it gently.