Snowflake

There's a particular kind of magic in the cut-and-unfold snowflake: you snip away at a plain triangle, half-expecting nothing, and then — bloom — a lacy little flurry opens up in your hands. No two are ever the same, and that's the whole point.

This version is a relaxed, scissors-in-hand craft rather than a strict fold, so it's perfect for a cosy winter afternoon or a table full of kids. Draw a few contours, cut, and unfold. Grab some thin paper and let's make it snow indoors for once.

STEP 1.

Take a square sheet of paper and fold it in half upward.

STEP 2.

Fold the right corner to the left, creasing from the center of the bottom edge to the right edge. The top edge of the flap you will get should be a bit shorter than its bottom edge.

STEP 3.

Fold the left corner to the right the same way.

STEP 4.

Fold the item in half sideways.

STEP 5.

Cut off the tips to get a triangle.

STEP 6.

Now let’s cut out the ornament. Draw the contours as shown and then cut with scissors.

STEP 7.

Continue cutting out the ornament.

STEP 8.

Unfold the item.

STEP 9.

Carefully unfold the snowflake.

STEP 10.

The snowflake is complete!