Visit our shop on Etsy

Grown-ups

Origami Crane Garland

Fold a flock of paper cranes and string them into a calming, colourful garland. Lovely for weddings, nurseries or just because.

A garland of rainbow-coloured origami cranes hanging in a sunny windowSave to Pinterest

There’s a Japanese tradition that folding a thousand cranes brings good luck. We’re starting with twenty, which is plenty of luck for one afternoon!

This one is marked as tricky because the petal fold takes a bit of practice. Take it slowly and it will click.

What you'll need

  • 15cm square origami paper, about 20 sheets
  • Strong thread or fishing line
  • Large-eyed needle
  • Small wooden or glass beads
  • Bone folder or the back of a spoon for crisp creases

Let's make it!

  1. A folded origami square base in turquoise paper

    Make a square base

    Fold your square in half both ways, then diagonally both ways. Push the sides in along the creases so it collapses into a smaller square with the open end at the bottom.

  2. Origami paper folded into a kite shape

    Fold the kite

    Fold the lower edges of the top layer in to the centre line so it looks like a kite. Fold the top triangle down over them, crease hard, then unfold all three.

  3. A long diamond shape after the petal fold

    Petal fold

    Lift the bottom point of the top layer up along the creases you just made, letting the sides fold in. Flatten it into a long diamond. Turn over and repeat.

  4. A slim diamond with two thin points at the bottom

    Slim it down

    Fold the lower edges of the top layer in to the centre again. Turn over and repeat. You now have two thin 'legs' at the bottom.

  5. Crane with neck and tail folded up

    Neck and tail

    Inside-reverse fold each thin point up between the layers, one for the neck and one for the tail. Then reverse fold the tip of the neck down to make a little head.

  6. A finished pink origami crane with wings spread

    Open the wings

    Fold the wings down, then gently pull them apart while blowing softly into the hole underneath to puff out the body. Your first crane, hooray!

  7. Cranes and beads threaded onto a string

    String your garland

    Thread a bead, then push the needle up through the bottom hole and out through the top of a crane. Add another bead, leave a 10cm gap and repeat. Tie a loop at each end for hanging.

Kimberley's top tips

  • Your first crane will look a bit wonky. By crane number five you'll be flying.
  • Sharp creases are the secret. Run a fingernail or bone folder along every fold.
  • Fold all your cranes first, then string them while watching telly.