Start with a square sheet of paper
Place the paper colored side up if it has one
Fold the paper diagonally in half to make a triangle
Unfold it
Fold the paper diagonally the other way
Unfold it
Flip the paper over
Fold the paper in half horizontally
Unfold it
Fold the paper in half vertically
Unfold it
Bring the top, bottom, left, and right corners together into a smaller square base
Position the open end downward
Fold the left and right edges of the top layer to the center line
Fold the top point down
Unfold the last three folds
Lift the bottom point of the top layer upward while folding the side edges inward
Flatten to form a long diamond shape
Repeat on the other side
Fold the left and right edges of the top layer to the center line again
Fold the top point down again
Unfold the last three folds
Lift the bottom point of the top layer upward while folding the side edges inward
Flatten to form a long diamond shape
Repeat on the other side
Fold the two long outer flaps upward to make the neck and tail
Fold one tip down to form the head
Reverse the fold slightly to shape the head
Pull the wings outward
Adjust the folds to shape the crane