How to Own a Crane

Here is the easiest "How to Make a Crane" guide that I have found.  If you would like to print your own you can get it here.

A couple of things I learned the hard way.  First of all when you go from Step 5 to Step 6 above one side is going to have more paper than the other side.  No biggie, you didn't do it wrong.  When they have you do that whole "pulling the bottom corner up while folding inward"  (what EXACTLY does that mean?) you are really looking for this little piece on the heavier side of your paper square: 

Now the petal fold.  A classic origami fold that befuddles most people until they have seen it done.  The trick is to fold the top of the little kite shape score lines you have made down flat.  This is what I have done in the picture below and it is what is happening between Step 8 and Step 9.

 

Here is the rest of the petal fold (still between Step 8 and Step 9).  The folded down piece from the previous picture would be sandwiched under my naughty finger in this photo.

Smugly ignore Step 6's warning about the "tricky part".  All you are doing is making folds that will give you cheat lines for the upcoming petal fold.  Think old fashioned kite and you will be just fine.  Also notice I am using pages from a magazine for origami papers.  Just make sure you start by making it into a square and then go nuts.  Good luck!