Origami Coach

Acorn

Fold an angular nut and a separate folded cap, then slide the nut's upper edge into the cap's open pocket. Two squares of different sizes make a flat harvest decoration without cuts or glue.

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Before you begin

2 sheets · Square paper

18 × 18 cm

Some parts use smaller sheets. Follow the sizes in the first step.

No scissors needed

This lesson is being checked for folding accuracy. It has not yet passed a physical fold-through review.

Step-by-step instructions

Read through the fold before you begin, or open any step in the folding viewer.

  1. After step 1: The two sheets are separate, with the larger nut sheet turned as a diamond.

    Choose the two squares

    Use one square for the nut and a smaller square, about seven-ninths as wide, for the cap. Set the nut square as a diamond on the left and the cap square as a square on the right.

    Look for: The two sheets are separate, with the larger nut sheet turned as a diamond.

    See this fold
  2. After step 2: The nut has one shortened side and a long lower point.

    Narrow the nut on the left

    Fold the nut's far left point behind along the vertical crease. Keep the lower point as the tip of the acorn.

    Look for: The nut has one shortened side and a long lower point.

    See this fold
  3. After step 3: The nut is symmetric, with a pointed bottom.

    Narrow the nut on the right

    Fold the far right point behind along the matching vertical crease. Align the two sides.

    Look for: The nut is symmetric, with a pointed bottom.

    See this fold
  4. After step 4: The nut now has a flat upper edge and a tapered lower end.

    Lower the nut's top

    Fold the nut's top point behind along the horizontal crease. This short upper edge will fit inside the cap.

    Look for: The nut now has a flat upper edge and a tapered lower end.

    See this fold
  5. After step 5: The cap is a wide double-layer rectangle with a bottom opening.

    Fold the cap pocket

    On the smaller square, fold its top half down over its bottom half. Leave a tiny open gap instead of pressing the two faces tightly together. The crease is at the top and the two free edges are at the bottom.

    Look for: The cap is a wide double-layer rectangle with a bottom opening.

    See this fold
  6. After step 6: The open cap sits just above the nut, ready to receive its upper edge.

    Move the cap above the nut

    Bring the cap above the nut. Keep the folded cap edge at the top and its open edges facing down toward the nut's flat upper edge.

    Look for: The open cap sits just above the nut, ready to receive its upper edge.

    See this fold
  7. After step 7: The wide cap overlaps the upper part of the nut, while its pointed lower end stays visible. Keep the acorn flat as a card or table decoration.

    Slide the nut into the cap

    Lower the cap over the upper edge of the nut so the nut lies between the cap's two layers. Stop before the cap hides the nut's pointed lower half. On your paper, leave a comfortable overlap and press gently to hold the tuck.

    Look for: The wide cap overlaps the upper part of the nut, while its pointed lower end stays visible. Keep the acorn flat as a card or table decoration.

    See this fold