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How to Make an Origami Crane
This is a fun and relatively easy origami project. It is a very traditioal origami fold and it builds on a couple of the standard origami folds. (The preliminary base and the bird base). This project was submitted to the website by (Hamza Sardar) My thanks to Hamza for this terrific tutorial.
I used paper that I purchased in Japan but you can use just about any paper including printer paper. Just cut yourself a square of paper almost any size from four inches square to eight inches square.
I have more Origami Projects, and I have a lot more coming. I have an Origami Home Page here so you can view the projects. On that Page I also have resources to buying books and paper and I have information and projects on the Japanese art of Tatebanko which is the art of paper dioramas. I also have a page of Origami Books and Papers.
The Legend of the Origami Crane
According to an ancient Japanese Legend anyone who folds a thousand Origami Cranes will be granted a wish. They are often given as a wedding gift to wish a thousand years of happiness and prosperity on the couple. And are gifted to new born babies good luck and a long life.
According to an ancient legend if you make 1,000 Origami Cranes you will have a wish granted, and you will have good luck. I am doing 1,000 cranes and started the project on April 19, 2010. You can see pictures and check on my progress here: The 1,000 Crane Project
This is a popular origami, and is a good starting point for anyone looking to develop their skills from beginner, to intermediate/lower intermediate.
Step 1: First step is to fold in fold in half diagonally.
Step 2: Then fold in half along the straight line.
Step 3: Lift up the flap on the right, and squash it down into a square.
Step 4: repeat on the back. This is a very well known base, and it is called a preliminary base.
Step 5: Bring the two vertices on the left and right to the centre, so that the bottom edges align with the centre line.
Step 6: fold the top flap down, whilst keeping the folds made in step 5.
Step 7: This is where most beginners may need help. Firstly unfold the folds made in step 5 and 6. Then take this flap:
And begin to lift it up, meanwhile keeping one finger on the fold made in step 6. It should look like this
Step 8: repeat for the back. This is called a bird base, and is considered a lower intermediate fold. Next, repeat step 5, only with the new vertices created, do this for front and back.
Step 9: This is what you should have
Step 10: Here comes the tricky bit. Hold one side flap, and open it slightly. Then pull up the leg, and this is what it should look like.
Step 11: repeat for the other side, although not as much, as this is the tail.
Step 12: The final step, and another hard bit. Take the head side, and hold the tip. Then fold it inwards, so just makes sure it looks like this.
You can curl the cranes wings by doing what is shown in the photo below. Pinch the wing between your thumb and a pencil or pen and while squeezing move in the direction shown by the arrow.
Fabulous Origami Boxes - Imagine a box made of paper! Boxes are one of the most popular formats of the age-old papercraft of origami. This delightful book is entirely devoted to the creation of origami boxes-plain or fancy, playful or practical, and elaborate boxes topped with cranes, butterflies, lilies, stars, and more.
FABULOUS ORIGAMI BOXES includes designs for nesting boxes, simple triangle and square boxes and more complex hexagonal and octagonal boxes. Detailed illustrations provide step-by-step instructions on the correct way to crease and fold origami paper. Many of the designs are made of one sheet of paper, but some combine individual units with intriguing results.
Both practical and lovely, these boxes can be used for gift-giving, storing trinkets, or simply for display.
About Origami Paper - The quality, color and texture of the paper makes all the difference in the world when it comes to origami. When you are first starting out you should work with inexpensive paper. But as you are making better and better things I recommend you start thinking about some beautiful high quality paper like these below. I have purchased two of the following three recommendations.
Yuzen Chiyogami Origami Paper- Set of 30 Sheets - Yuzen Chiyogami- Set of 30 Sheets Gorgeous origami papers from Japan. These are high quality rice papers with brightly printed patterns; highlighted with metallic gold. This set includes 15 patterned sheets and 15 solid color sheets. They measure 3-15/16"x3-15/16".
Mini Yuzen Chiyogami Origami Paper - Mini Yuzen Chiyogami Origami Sheets These mini sheets of origami paper are absolutely beautiful! Each pack comes with 20 sheets of brightly patterned paper accented with metallic gold. This is very high quality mulberry based rice paper. Also included are 20 solid color sheets for a total of 40 sheets per pack. The sheets measure 2-3/8"x2-3/8". The image shown is enlarged to show detail.
Yuzen Origami LARGE Set of 30 Chiyogami Papers - Yuzen Origami LARGE Set of 30 SheetsThese incredibly detailed and beautiful Origami papers are of the highest quality. The intricate designs are printed in a rainbow of bright colors and outlined in metallic gold and silver. The base paper is heavy duty professional grade rice paper. Each set includes 15 different patterned sheets and 15 contrasting solid color sheets. Each sheet is 5-7/8 inch square. This is a perfect packet for all decorative paper appications- scrapbooking book making collage decoupage Kirigami and Origami folding. We have another set that includes 40 sheets of paper... Both sets have different patterns in them so if you purchase them both you will get different papers in each set. Our last shipment of this Origami pack had different papers in every pack- they are all gorgeous sheets! If you buy two of the same item number you are not likely to get repeat papers.
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This is a popular origami, and is a good starting point for anyone looking to develop their skills from beginner, to intermediate/lower intermediate. 
Step 2: Then fold in half along the straight line. 
Step 3: Lift up the flap on the right, and squash it down into a square. 
Step 6: fold the top flap down, whilst keeping the folds made in step 5.
Step 7: This is where most beginners may need help. Firstly unfold the folds made in step 5 and 6. Then take this flap: 
And begin to lift it up, meanwhile keeping one finger on the fold made in step 6. It should look like this
Step 8: repeat for the back. This is called a bird base, and is considered a lower intermediate fold. Next, repeat step 5, only with the new vertices created, do this for front and back. 
Step 10: Here comes the tricky bit. Hold one side flap, and open it slightly. Then pull up the leg, and this is what it should look like.
Step 12: The final step, and another hard bit. Take the head side, and hold the tip. Then fold it inwards, so just makes sure it looks like this.
- Mini Yuzen Chiyogami Origami Sheets These mini sheets of origami paper are absolutely beautiful! Each pack comes with 20 sheets of brightly patterned paper accented with metallic gold. This is very high quality mulberry based rice paper. Also included are 20 solid color sheets for a total of 40 sheets per pack. The sheets measure 2-3/8"x2-3/8". The image shown is enlarged to show detail. 
