Origami: How to fold a Crane

I’ll show you how to fold a crane.

I bet a crane is the origami which is folded most frequently.

A crane has become a staple and is popular origami now.

There’s no doubt it’s that popular since it’s easy to fold and so beautiful too.

If you master how to fold a crane,

you can apply your skills to other kinds of origami.

So let’s master it!

How to fold a crane 1 A basic crane

1. Fold it in half four times and make four creases along the dotted lines.

Do a valley fold except a diagonal line across.

2. Fold it, using all the creases toward the arrows.

3. Fold three times along the dotted lines and make creases.

4. Open the top layer of the sheet to the top and fold it along the dotted lines,

as picture No.5 shows.

5. Do the same thing for the other side too.

6. Fold both sides to the middle, along the dotted lines.

7. Fold it the same way for the other side too.

8. Fold the bottom parts up along the dotted line

and fold them so that the hiding side will face the front,

as picture No.9 shows.

9. Fold the left head part down and put it inside, as picture No.10 shows.

10. Pull the wings, spreading nicely.

11. And it’s done!

How to fold a crane 2  Soaring crane

1. Fold it in half four times and make four creases along the dotted lines.

Do a valley fold except a diagonal line across.

2. Fold it, using all the creases toward the arrows.

3. Fold three times along the dotted lines and make creases.

4. Open the top layer of the sheet to the top and fold it along the dotted lines,

as picture No.5 shows.

5. Do the same thing for the other side too.

6. Fold the right side along the dotted line, as picture No.7 shows.

7. Fold the right side to the left along the dotted line,

as picture No.8 shows.

8. Put it back.

9. Open only the right side.

10. Fold it back along the dotted lines.

11. Fold it inside, along the dotted line.

12. Open the part that you folded in No.11.  Fold it back to the right.

13. Turn it over and change the direction.

14. Fold only the top layer along the dotted line.

15. Fold it the same way for the other side too.

16. Fold it along the dotted line.

17. Fold it the same way for the other side too.

18. Fold it along the dotted line, as if it covers the part.

19. Fold it down, along the dotted line.

20. Fold it the same way for the other side too.

21. Fold the head part as if it covers the part.

22. Lift the tail part up and adjust it well.

23. And it’s done!

The way you fold a square for the basic crane can be shown

for the other origami procedures too.

Since it’s a basic way of folding it,

sometimes it can be omitted in the procedure.

If you master this way, you can save time.  So let’s master it!

You can also change the angle when you fold a tail or wings of the soaring crane!

【Translated by　 Kana Toda PIERCE】