How to Make a Paper Crane

A great way to impress a stranger or simply pass some time is to learn origami. The paper crane is one of the traditional pieces made with the paper art. Its simple yet elegant design makes an ordinary piece of paper seem extraordinary.

Things You'll Need

• Square sheet of paper

Instructions

1. Grasp one edge and fold to the opposite edge, unfold and repeat with the remaining two edges. Your paper should form a cross in the center with the two creases.

2. Fold the paper along one of the diagonals. Unfold and repeat along the opposite diagonal axis. This will leave an asterisklike shape in the creases.

3. Place the paper flat on the table with the inside--that is, the side you fold everything into--facing up. Next you are going to grasp all of the corners and bring them together with the two sides pushed in.

4. Fold one of the corners with an open edge to the center line so that it forms a small triangle, then repeat with the opposite corner. This will cause the edges to meet in the center.

5. Flip the paper over and repeat the last step on the other side. The resulting shape should be a kite shape.

6. Crease the top point down toward the center on one of the sides. Then unfold the last three folds on that side, so that once again you have a square.

7. Raise the top-facing corner and reveal the inside, and then bring the two side edges together, closing up the inside. The resulting shape will be an elongated diamond.

8. Repeat the last step with the other side.

9. Grasp the side corner and fold it into the center, like you did in step 4. Then do the same with the opposite corner, and after that do both folds again after you flip the paper over.

10. Using one of the four flaps, fold it along the center axis in half; this should reveal a smooth, unfolded surface and result in an asymmetrical shape on the top portion.

11. Taking the bottom of the diamond shape, crease it in the middle and fold toward the top, resulting in a shape half the size that looks roughly like the pope's hat.

12. Repeat step 10 with one of the flaps visible by bending it toward the center.

13. Reveal the inside by taking the top flap and folding it down. It should reveal two large points. Then flip the paper over and repeat. The resulting shape should have two disconnected points on the top portion and a solid triangle in the bottom portion.

14. Pull both points away from the center and bend one of them to form the crane's head. The remaining point will serve as the tail.

15. Grasping the two bottom triangles, pull them away from the head and tail to form the wings. If you were successful, the resulting shape should be a paper crane.

Tips & Warnings

• The corners can be quite sharp, so be aware of the potential for paper cuts.