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Start with a squaresheet of paper.

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Fold the paper inhalf, into a rectangle.

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A finished crane,suspended from theceiling

How to Fold a Paper Crane

The origami crane is perfect as a gift or gift tag as a decoration, or as thefirst step to making a senbazuru. The cranes are delicate, but surprisinglyeasy (and fun) to fold, so don't hesitate to give this craft a try.

Start with a square sheet of paper. The front of your paper (theside you want to show in the end) corresponds to the blue side ofthe paper in the photo. The hidden back of the paper is white in thephoto.

Fold the paper in half, into a rectangle. Be sure to crease yourfolds crisply.

Unfold, and fold in half the other way.

Steps

the how to manual that you can edit

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Note that theprevious crease isperpendicular to thisone.

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Unfold yourrectangle.

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Unfold your paperand turn it back over.

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Bring the cornerstogether.

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You should havea vertical creaserunning down themiddle of your

Unfold your rectangle. Turn the paper over and fold in half into atriangle. You should see the back of your paper. Unfold and repeatalong the other diagonal.

Unfold your paper and turn it back over. You should see thediagonal creases create "valleys" and the perpendicular creasescreate "mountains".

Bring the corners together. Allow the valley creases to meet in themiddle.

Align the square. By flattening two opposite sides, you should findyourself with a square that is open on the bottom. Make sure yoursquare is rotated so that the opening is on the bottom, as shown inthe picture.

square

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Bring the rightcorner of the top flapto the middle crease,so that the lowerright edge lines upwith the crease.

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Repeat this actionon the left, so thatthe top looks like akite.

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It should look likea gem

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Bring the right corner of the top flap to the middle crease, sothat the lower right edge lines up with the crease.

Repeat this action on the left, so that the top looks like a kite.

Fold down the top corner to make the crease lie along thehorizontal line created in the previous two steps.

Unfold.

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Take the bottomcorner of the squareand start to fold it upalong the horizontalcrease you made inthe previous twosteps.

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As you fold, notethe four diagonalcreases on theinside that you madeearlier.

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Unfold. In doing so, you return to having a square with an openingfacing down.

Take the bottom corner of the square and start to fold it upalong the horizontal crease you made in the previous two steps.

As you fold, note the four diagonal creases on the inside thatyou made earlier. You will need to reverse the two creases on theupper flap. To reverse a crease, fold it in the opposite direction thatit naturally folds.

Bring the outeredges to the middleand flatten, so thatyou have a diamond.

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Turn yourpaper over, andrepeat theprevious fivesteps.

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Fold theedges to themiddle crease.

Bring the outer edges to the middle and flatten, so that you havea diamond.

Turn your paper over, and repeat the previous five steps.

Fold the edges to the middle crease.

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Repeaton theother side.

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Fold theright flap overto the left (inthe samemanner asturning thepage of abook).

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Take the

Repeat on the other side.

Fold the right flap over to the left (in the same manner as turning thepage of a book). Turn over and repeat on the back.

Take the bottom tip of the top flap and fold it up to the top corner.Turn over and repeat on the other side.

bottom tip ofthe top flapand fold it upto the topcorner.

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Fold the rightflap over to theleft (in the samemanner asturning the pageof a book).

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Fold thewings down sothat they areperpendicular tothe body, headand tail.

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Fold the right flap over to the left (in the same manner as turningthe page of a book). Turn over and repeat on the back. Now the headand tail are nestled in between what will become the wings.

Fold the wings down so that they are perpendicular to the body,head and tail.

Fold the tip of thehead down.

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Pull the head andtail out so that theyline up with the outeredges of the body.

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Create 3D volume.

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Fold the tip of the head down.

Pull the head and tail out so that they line up with the outeredges of the body.

Create 3D volume. If you want a three dimensional body, you cangrasp the opposite corners on the bottom of the body and gently pullto create the desired volume.

Give away, hang, string, or simply enjoy!

Video

Thinner paper, and paper made specifically for origami work best. Tissue-thin paper is hardto work with, but creates beautiful translucent cranes.

Experiment with patterns and textures. The scrapbooking section of a craft store is full ofpaper for any occasion. Other stores in which to find paper include newsagents, stationerystores, dollar stores and toy stores.

The best way to hang a crane is to place a string through the hole in the bottom and themiddle of the body, where all the creases cross.

This is a popular origami design. If there is a step you are having a lot of trouble with, trysearching for "origami crane" in a search engine. Sometimes a new perspective on the step isall you need.

If you are planning on taking your crane somewhere, save the last step until after the trip inyour backpack, pocket, purse, etc. Flat cranes pack better, and you don't have to worry aboutthem getting crushed.

For a neat trick to impress your friends, fold or tear a Starburst wrapper into a square. Thenuse it to make a crane.

Consider using recycled paper; it's better for the environment.

A square sheet of paperA flat surface

Tips

Things You'll Need

Something to crease folds, such as fingernails or a rulerPlenty of patience-- you may need to try this design a few times before you get it.

How to Assemble a Semba Zuru (1,000 Origami Cranes)How to Make OrigamiHow to Make an Origami Flying BirdHow to Make an Origami Jumping FrogHow to Make an Origami Swan

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