Headless Elf Origami

This Instructable will show you how to make a cute headless elf. Perfect for Christmas decorations!

I came up with this myself three years ago, when I was bored in my 5th grade class. Enjoy!

Step 1: Start With a Square Paper

Start with a square piece of paper, preferably small. Here I used a SpongeBob sticky note, which actually worked really well. If you plan on using them as Christmas decorations, consider using wrapping paper.

Step 2:

Just fold the paper in half diagonally, with whichever side you want showing on the outside.

Step 3:

Fold the paper in half again, so it makes a smaller triangle.

Step 4:

Open up the paper so it looks like the triangle in step 2. Open up one of the folds so it forms a "pocket", and squish it down. The result should look like a square with a line down the center.

Step 5:

Flip it over and do the same thing to the other side.

Step 6:

Fold the flaps on one side towards the center to make a kite shape.

Step 7:

Flip it over and do the same thing to the other side.

Step 8:

Open up the flaps on one side, and pull the bottom tip of the kite up to open the paper.

Step 9:

Squish the folds down. The result should look like a very elongated rhombus.

Step 10:

Flip it over and open up the other side.

Step 11:

Just like in step 9, squish down the flaps.

Step 12: Now, Time to Make It Look Like an Elf...

After completing step 11, you should now have an origami bird base, or in other words, a rhombus. It should have two "legs". Make sure the legs are facing down.

Fold up the tip of the right leg at a 90 degree angle, towards you. This will eventually become the shoe of the elf.

Step 13:

Do the same with the other leg.

Step 14:

Open up the side of the right leg and push the foot inside. This should come naturally, since the folds have already been made. If you need help with this step, try searching "pocket fold origami" on Google.

Step 15:

Repeat the last step with the other leg.

Step 16:

Fold the top of the triangle inwards, and to the right. The line of the fold should match up with the line of the triangle on the inside. It should look like there's a little arm sticking out of the right side.

Step 17: Done!

Turn it over and repeat with the other side.

Now you're done! Adorable, right? If you want, you can...

~Color it.
~Fold up the tips of the shoes to give it an extra elfin touch.
~Put tape on either side of the inner triangle to better secure the arms.

Thanks for viewing, hope you enjoyed! :)