Origami: Paper Crane

Start with a square sheet of paper, colored side down. Fold it corner to corner diagonally, then unfold; repeat for the other diagonal. Flip the paper over and fold it in half side to side, then top to bottom, unfolding each time — you now have an X and a + crease as guides.

Using those creases, push the sides in and collapse the square down into a smaller diamond shape (the "preliminary base") — the paper naturally wants to fold flat along the creases you already made.

With the open point facing you, fold the left and right edges of the top layer in to meet the center line, narrowing the diamond into a slim kite shape. Flip over and repeat on the back.

Fold the two narrow bottom points up along the center, one becoming the neck and one becoming the tail.

Fold the very tip of the neck flap back down a little to form the crane’s head and beak.

Gently pull the wings apart and hold the body while pulling down slightly on the neck and tail — this pops the crane into its rounded, 3D shape.