Origami cranes are a popular origami craft.
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Origami, the traditional Japanese art of paper folding, has seen a huge rise in popularity with paper cranes and frogs being made in classrooms world-wide. Making your own origami requires dedication to the craft. The technique can be frustrating for beginners. Try simple projects, such as a crane. If you just fold on, your practice will pay off in intricate paper creations.
Step 1
Place your origami paper flat on a smooth surface. Fold the top right corner into the bottom left corner. You should have a triangular shape.
Step 2
Fold one corner of the triangle into the opposite corner, creating a crease from the center of the triangle's hypotenuse to the third corner of the triangle. You will have an even smaller triangle. Repeat this fold one more time: Crease the paper, and undo the fold.
Step 3
Lift the top layer of the right-hand corner. Shift it over to the left-hand side of the paper. Flatten the flap of paper over the left-hand side of the triangle until it creates a square that is equal in height to the triangle. Flip the paper over and repeat; you should have a square.
Step 4
Turn the paper sideways so it is in the shape of a diamond. Fold the top layer of each side so that each meet along the center fold of the paper. Fold the top sheet of the top of the paper down so that it nestles in with the two sides along the center fold. Undo these folds after they have been creased. Lift the paper open from the bottom flap. Fold the two sides down into the center of the paper to create a crystal shape. Flip the paper over. Repeat these actions on the other side. You will end up with a skinny diamond shape.
Step 5
Fold the top sheet of each of the long sides in so that the two center points of the sides meet in the middle of the paper. Flip the paper over. Repeat the process the same for the other side.
Step 6
Fold the two long and skinny points up toward the center, allowing them to follow their natural angle and jut out from the mass slightly. Unfold the right and left sides, tucking them into the newly created folds.
Step 7
Blow gently into the little hole in the center of the largest mass of paper to inflate the crane. Tuck the head down slightly to give the appearance of a crane.
Tips & Warnings
- Though it may be tempting, the use of glues and tapes goes against the rules of traditional paper folding. Avoid using such shortcuts; aspire to create beautiful forms with nothing but a single sheet of paper.
References
About the Author
Richard Kyori has been writing professionally since 2006. He has been teaching design and technology courses at colleges and universities since 2005. Kyori holds a Bachelor of Arts in art history from Boston University and is working toward a Master of Architecture.
Photo Credits
- Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images
