Origami crane

1. 

   Step 01

   Crease both diagonals

   Start coloured side up in a diamond position. Fold and unfold along both diagonals.

   You should seeA flat coloured square with two diagonal creases crossing at the centre.

2. 

   Step 02

   Turn the paper over

   Flip the sheet so the white side faces up.

   You should seeThe white side facing you, with the diagonal creases still visible.

3. 

   Step 03

   Crease side to side

   Fold and unfold the paper in half horizontally and vertically.

   You should seeFour creases crossing at the centre: two diagonal and two straight.

4. 

   Step 04

   Collapse the square base

   Bring the left and right corners down to the bottom corner while the top corner folds over them.

   You should seeA small layered square with its open point at the bottom.

5. 

   Step 05

   Fold the front edges inward

   Fold the top layer's left and right edges to the vertical centreline.

   You should seeA kite shape on the front of the square base.

6. 

   Step 06

   Crease the top corner

   Fold the top corner down along the top edges of the flaps from step 5.

   You should seeA horizontal crease across the top of the kite shape.

7. 

   Step 07

   Unfold the side flaps

   Unfold the two folds made in step 5.

   You should seeThe square base open again with three new guide creases.

8. 

   

   Step 08

   Make the first petal fold

   Lift the top layer and bring its bottom corner up while folding the sides inward along the creases.

   You should seeA long, narrow diamond pointing upward.

9. 

   Step 09

   Turn the model over

   Flip the folded model to work on the other side.

   You should seeThe untouched square flap facing you.

10. 

    Step 10

    Crease the back edges

    Fold and unfold the left and right edges to the vertical centreline.

    You should seeTwo diagonal guide creases on the back flap.

11. 

    Step 11

    Make the second petal fold

    Lift the top layer and bring its bottom corner up as in step 8.

    You should seeA symmetrical bird base with two long points.

12. 

    Step 12

    Narrow the front

    Fold the front layer's left and right lower edges to the vertical centreline.

    You should seeA slimmer kite on the front of the bird base.

13. 

    Step 13

    Turn the model over

    Flip the model to the other side.

    You should seeThe wider lower edges ready to be narrowed.

14. 

    Step 14

    Narrow the back

    Fold the left and right lower edges to the vertical centreline again.

    You should seeA long narrow diamond, matching on both sides.

15. 

    Step 15

    Move the right flap left

    Fold the top-right flap over to the left like turning a page.

    You should seeA smooth narrow face with the centre opening moved to the side.

16. 

    Step 16

    Turn the model over

    Flip the model to the other side.

    You should seeThe matching narrow face on the back.

17. 

    Step 17

    Move the other flap left

    Fold the top-right flap over to the left, just as in step 15.

    You should seeBoth loose inner points hidden between the outer layers.

18. 

    Step 18

    Lift the first inner point

    Fold the bottom corner of the top flap upward along the existing horizontal crease.

    You should seeOne long inner point raised between the outer layers.

19. 

    Step 19

    Turn the model over

    Flip the model to the other side.

    You should seeThe second inner point ready to be raised.

20. 

    Step 20

    Lift the second inner point

    Repeat the same upward fold as in step 18.

    You should seeTwo long inner points raised to the same height.

21. 

    Step 21

    Close the right flap

    Fold the top-right flap over to the left.

    You should seeOne raised point enclosed neatly between the side layers.

22. 

    Step 22

    Turn the model over

    Flip the model to the other side.

    You should seeThe remaining open side facing you.

23. 

    Step 23

    Close the other flap

    Fold the top-right flap over to the left again.

    You should seeA broad body with two narrow points between the wings.

24. 

    Step 24

    Swivel-fold the tail left

    Hold the tail between the wings, swivel it left, align it with the outer edge and flatten the fold.

    You should seeThe tail angled out to the left of the body.

25. 

    

    Step 25

    Swivel-fold the neck right

    Repeat the same swivel fold on the right side.

    You should seeThe neck and tail spread to opposite sides beneath the wings.

26. 

    Step 26

    Crease the head

    Mountain-fold the tip of the neck to the right, crease firmly, then unfold it.

    You should seeA guide crease where the head will bend; its exact position may vary.

27. 

    

    Step 27

    Inside-reverse the head

    Open the neck slightly and push the tip inside along the creases from step 26.

    You should seeA small pointed head bent down from the neck.

28. 

    Step 28

    Open the wings

    Gently pull the two wings apart and shape the body without flattening it.

    You should seeA finished crane with open wings, an upright neck and a pointed tail.

Step 1 of 28: Crease both diagonals