Introduction: How to Make a Yogurt Crab
This is the the yogurt crab 'Gurt.' I had previously posted a slideshow of him, except this time he won't be made of a yogurt cup. This crab will be made out of a cottage cheese container. I guess we'll call him 'Curdis.' You can make yours out of any plastic container you want to. It makes a nice little desk ornament, doubles as a storage compartment, but best of all, we're recycling.
Alright, let's get to the 'ible!
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
All you'll need is a pair of scissors and a plastic container of choice. Some assembly required.
Step 2: Start With Your Container
Get your container (make sure it's empty) and cut part of the "back" out, like in the picture.
Step 3: Cutting the Legs
Cut five even slits like in the picture. Be sure to leave enough room for the head and claws. Bend down two of the legs we just cut out (see picture 4) and cut off the ones still sticking up. Save the scraps that you cut off. They will be needed for step 7.
Step 4: Making the Head
Cut the remainder of the cup's side into thirds. Then cut the middle third about halfway down (third picture), and cut that into thirds also. Then cut the plastic between the eye stalks out (fourth picture). Now moving on to the claws.
Step 5: Forming the Claws
Near the base of both claws cut out a small indention. Cut off the corners and cut a small slit on the end of each arm. Now he's starting to look more like a crab, a skydiving one.
Step 6: Bend Down the Legs
Bend them about halfway down, like in the picture. If you want his belly to drag the ground, you can simply leave his legs at the same level as the rest of his body, if not, just bend them down a little farther.
If you want a crab without a shell, you can leave him like he is. Continue on to learn how to make the shell.
Step 7: Making a Shell
Now, pull out that lid we put aside earlier. Cut the lid starting from one side to the center (picture two).
Holding the scissors like a box cutter, cut two slits on either side of the cut we just made. Then take a long piece of scrap plastic (from step 3) and if it doesn't fit through the slits we just made, you may need to trim it down a little to make it fit. Push it through the bottom slit and through the first slit on the other side (picture five). Pull the lid together, then push the plastic back down the second slit and through the second slit on the bottom. The lid had a little bit of overhang (picture six), so I cut off the lid the part that stuck out too much (picture seven). If yours turns out like this, you can leave it or cut it off. It's a matter of personal preference.
Step 8: Finishing Up
Now, set your newly made shell on the body of the crab. Pose the claws and legs to suit your style, I like to raise one claw a little higher than the other. You can store small objects or office supplies under his shell. Enjoy your newly made crab!