Category: Interlocking

Video instructions and measurements for how to make these orbs from Tetra Pak by Luz Mireya Martinez Arcos

Some information about the background and naming of Triskele Globes by Manja from Hattifant.

I recorded the findings of Paula Beardell Krieg about these structures (but not her instructions and template). There are a lot of links to other people who have made these and looked at the maths involved.

Shopping bag made from foil coffee bags using 1:6 ratio weave. By Ruutupunontaa.

Another early example of a Windmill Loop technique to make paper tassels.

A workshop exploring Weaving Windmill Loops and how to turn corners – Bridges 2021: Mathematics, Art, Music, Architecture, Culture

Workshop Papers

Instructions for a woven made of postcards from ‘The world of origami’ by Isao Honda (1965) available from Internet Archive.

Make a 3D poinsettia/ Christmas star out of wrapping paper. Video by Lotti.

Ruti Ben Dror uses various reclaimed papers to make bowls, boxes and pots. Article by by Helen Morgan.

Videos by Maphy Section from Indonesia. Instructions are incomplete, but enough to get started.

Amazing folded flowers made from folded used lottery tickets that Alexlockwood finds on the ground in his hometown of Brooklyn, New York.

This is just fun!
Video by 安生仔 An Sang Tsai

Fabulous mats and cushions made from recycled socks – by Perry

Sculptural shapes using the type of windmill loop with no holes – by Perry

Weaving by Perry
Toilet roll canvases – so many possiilities

Weaving by James Mallos
Another look at windmill loop from a mathematicians point of view.

I can’t pretend to understand much of the mathmatical basis of Windmill Loop – James Mallos has a blog packed with computer based weaving. Is interesting to see the basic 3 loops explained with different terminology. There is also different ideas on unit weaving/nexorades – weaving short elements together. If you know your vertices from your voxels it could be useful.

Mary is trying to understand the twist of windmill loop by drawing it out.

Tutorial by Waldemar Sha
Cool use of 3 way windmill loop.

A couple of examples of a ‘planar net’ using windmill loop. Much of Alison’s work utilises hexagonal mesh structures and complex mathmatical forms. I was interested in her background of weaving with bamboo.

Range of bags and pouches by Lakshytta Gupta made using strips cut and woven from used Tetrapaks, using 1:8 ratio windmill loop.

Mary Crabb During has been taking part in Forces in Translation online event ‘Looping and….’ exploring the interface between basketry, mathematics and anthropology. using windmill loop she looked at topology, curvature of surfaces, and particular the fact that a doughnut has zero curvature.

Mary Crabb’s trials and results from instructions on how to weave a windmill loop dog.

Diagram instructions of 8 point star by Javier Caboblanco.

Photo instructions of how to make an origami 8 point star by Qunying

Careful video instructions showing how to weave a simple basket from toilet roll tubes. Love the gold paint.
By Vicky Carabalí

Beautiful sketches by Malena Skote illustrating the basics of Windmill Loop weave. The title refers to an architectural or industrial design concept that means “the shape of a building or object should primarily relate to its intended function or purpose”.

A collection of a few sources of instructions for making the modular units to create truncated Dodecahedrons and Icosahedrons.

Beautiful paper lampshade – I like the comment “Isn’t that a great alternative to typical Ikea paper balloon lamps?” Video in Spanish – by Papelismo.

Simple woven dodecahedron with rubber ball inside.
Instructions by Waldemar Sha

Using 3-way weaving to make a hexagonal net attached to a backpack for attaching objects externally.
Instructions by Waldemar Sha

Baskets decorated with what looks like thin ribbon.
By Sora Products, women’s group from the Phillipines

Very cute small basket with lid and button fastening.
Video by Eliza Fermin

I include this video not so much for the instructions, rather the idea of filling the holes of Windmill Loop weave with flowers.
Video by DIY art and CRAFT

A lovely 45 degree fold for the corners and finishing the edges.
Video by Craft Passion

Weaving with plastic drinking straws by making loops first.
Video by Akvi DIY

A good example of shapes that can be made with Windmill Loop weaving.
Made by Hilda Rogers

Made by ‘Bags from Milk Boxes’ Thailand

I include these examples because it looks like the maker had a lot of fun. I love the pictures of the child in a basket, illustrating how strong the baskets are. First example I’ve seen of a backpack and a lantern.
Made by ‘Bags from Milk boxes’, Thailand

Great idea.
By Thai Invention

Inventive animal designs including deer and a crab!

Wonderful work in a school. The translation wasn’t brilliant, but I’ve managed to selected parts of the text that highlight the fantastic benefits of teaching children this skill. They have made coverings for concrete pillars and huge mats for the school.

Beautiful designs and professionally finished. This maker has a good eye for design. The first time I have come across this ‘made to order’ process for these bags. I was struck by how the woven pieces look like printed fabrics.
By Kaktadai, Thailand

A woman who runs a coffee kiosk in Sisaket province, Thailand is weaving coffee sachets into bags and selling them in her kiosk for extra income. It makes sense! like the square design.
Video by Thairath

Video in Thai. Children being taught to weave coffee sachet bags. Presumably they are trimmed and finished by adults.
Video – Spring news

Abridged post showing bags made by elderly group. Another variation on attaching handles.
NTUC Health Active Ageing Hub

Some simple projects from bicycle tubes.
Image search – various makers

I like the simple way of finishing off the rim with wire.
by Rebecca Delfs

I was interested to learn that this enterprise gathered too much tetra pak to be used for handicrafts and had to find another way of recycling it. Another example of coffee sachets with crocheted edges.
Aunty Bee, Koh Lanta Noi and Yai, Thailand

Sweet and simple.
By Gitte Jensen

The first company I have come across to use Windmill Loop weaving to promote their product – it displays the logo well.
Organo

‘Loop-di-loop’ handmade bag for life. Love the name. Made from non-recyclable coffee and drinks sachets by a social enterprise.
Clear Community, Indonesia

Small bag or Purse made from Coffee Sachets. Used card template to fold loops.
Video by Ochi Craft HD, Indonesia.

Crocheting the top of these bags is another alternative to finish the edges. Video in Thai, by Yim Siam.

Recycling Coffee Bags in Indonesia. Instructions from Eleven Green Club, a Girl’s Club in Bangung.

Video – how to make a bag made out of crisp packets stapled together.
by Jing Si Books & Cafe Malaysia

Video of Windmill Fold weave using Crisp Bags/Plastic wrappers – in Chinese, by Wendymosquito.

A book in Chinese with a page of instructions on Windmill Loop Weaving using paper. Can anyone help me find out the history of this technique in China?

Beautiful recycled paper baskets with photo instructions.
by Cecile Cua, Taiwan

Abridged version of Instructables post for this great design.
By Waldemar Sha

Overview of ChuChu loop weaving with inner tubes, from their Facebook page.

Overview of ChuChu loop weaving with plastics, from their Facebook page.

A selection of Tetra pak baskets and bags.

1:8 ratio Windmill loop weaving for shopping bags, Storage baskets, Laundry baskets, Wrapping paper caddy and more.
by JennyWoodruff

Great project using Reverse Windmill Loop Weave
By Hans from the Netherlands

Truncated cube using 4 way windmill loop weave. Made from inner tube loops.
by Axolotl01

Love this mat.
Innertube Loop Creations by Idea63

A truncated icosahedron made of interlocking pentagons and hexagons.
by Tom Tucker

A water bottle holder using the 4 way windmill loop weave technique.
by Sean Ryan

Using the 3 way loop weaving to make 5 and 6 sided shapes – and the characteristics these have.
Innertube Loop Creations by Idea63

Explains the opportunities of the loops cutting from innertube.
Innertube Loop Creations by Idea63

Lovely handbag design with attractive pattern.
by DIY family in Taiwan

Dog from magazines made by DIY family in Taiwan.

Woven leather dog is influenced by woven cigarette packet sculptures.
Matt Fothergill

Animal sculptures from Cigarette packets using Windmill Loop Weave. Inspirational.
Made by Derek Fitton.

Collection of images and anecdotes about windmill loop weave cigarette packet dogs.

Cigarette Packet Dog examples. Site by John Hewitson

A well established women’s enterprise with online shop selling a variety of Windmill loop woven products from India.

A fascinating insight into a series of Social Enterprises in India headed by Devika Krishnan.

Training for bags, pouches, placemats and a variety of utility products to be made by children from Satya School with disabilities. Multiple benefits for this social enterprise; it helps bring self-confidence and self-esteem is fun and it is also therapy.

Although possibly not reused straws – they could be. Useful techniques to apply to other projects.
by i creative ideas

Baskets and Bags made out of Juice and Milk packaging – recycling, handicraft and basket making in Sweden by Konstantin Larsson.

An amazing product made by staff and children at Ban Nong Yai School Chiang Mai, Thailand.

How to make a simple basket using Windmill Loop Weaving.
by Jam, DIY – Done It’s Yours

Original instructions In Thai dating back to 2009. By NOK Management