Origami Coach

Christmas stocking

Turn a square into a narrow strip, fold out the foot, then finish a cuff and a softly angled toe. This flat stocking is a decoration rather than a bag or container.

Christmas stocking

Before you begin

1 sheet · Square paper

15 × 15 cm

No scissors needed

Start folding

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.

Printable guide (opens a new tab)
  1. After step 1: The square is flat and its edges are level.

    Begin with a square

    Place a square flat, with the side you want on the outside facing down. Keep the top and bottom edges horizontal.

    Look for: The square is flat and its edges are level.

    See this fold
  2. After step 2: You have a tall rectangle half the width of the original square.

    Fold the left half over

    Bring the left edge across to meet the right edge. Press the vertical center crease and leave the paper folded.

    Look for: You have a tall rectangle half the width of the original square.

    See this fold
  3. After step 3: The paper is a narrow, straight strip with its folded flap contained inside the outline.

    Narrow the strip

    Fold the right-hand portion left along the highlighted vertical line. The flap ends inside the strip; do not bring it all the way to the opposite edge.

    Look for: The paper is a narrow, straight strip with its folded flap contained inside the outline.

    See this fold
  4. After step 4: The strip now has a long upper leg and a foot projecting to the left.

    Fold out the foot

    Fold the lower section up and toward the left along the highlighted diagonal. Fold all layers together, keeping the upper end still.

    Look for: The strip now has a long upper leg and a foot projecting to the left.

    See this fold
  5. After step 5: A folded cuff sits across the top of the stocking's leg.

    Turn down the cuff

    Fold the narrow top band downward across the highlighted horizontal line. Press through all layers to make a neat cuff.

    Look for: A folded cuff sits across the top of the stocking's leg.

    See this fold
  6. After step 6: The bottom of the toe has a small angled corner.

    Soften the lower toe

    Fold the tiny lower-left corner behind the foot along the highlighted diagonal. Leave the rest of the foot flat.

    Look for: The bottom of the toe has a small angled corner.

    See this fold
  7. After step 7: The foot points left and has a softly angled end; the cuff remains at the top.

    Soften the upper toe

    Fold the tiny upper-left corner behind too. These two small folds round off the otherwise square toe.

    Look for: The foot points left and has a softly angled end; the cuff remains at the top.

    See this fold
  8. After step 8: The cuff, tall leg, heel, and left-pointing toe are visible, and no paper was cut away.

    Finish the flat stocking

    Press the creases firmly. Use the stocking as a flat holiday decoration or gift tag; it is not an opening pouch.

    Look for: The cuff, tall leg, heel, and left-pointing toe are visible, and no paper was cut away.

    See this fold