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How to fold an origami pine cone

Cut a brown sheet into a long cone, then pleat it three times so each row overlaps the next like the scales of a real cone.

You need: 1 sheet of A4 or Letter paper, brown on one side, scissors and a black pen. Medium, 7 steps, about 10 minutes.

Steps

  1. Cut the cone. Start brown side up. Cut a long cone: 3 cm across the top, 11 cm wide at the shoulders 3.5 cm down, then narrowing to a point at the bottom.
  2. Row 1: fold down. Fold the top part down, creasing straight across 15.5 cm above the bottom point. The back shows for now.
  3. Row 1: fold back up. Fold it back up, creasing 6 mm lower. Its folded edge overlaps the paper below like a row of scales.
  4. Row 2: fold down. Fold the top part down, creasing straight across 11 cm above the bottom point. The back shows for now.
  5. Row 2: fold back up. Fold it back up, creasing 6 mm lower. Its folded edge overlaps the paper below like a row of scales.
  6. Row 3: fold down. Fold the top part down, creasing straight across 6.5 cm above the bottom point. The back shows for now.
  7. Row 3: fold back up. Fold it back up, creasing 6 mm lower. Its folded edge overlaps the paper below like a row of scales.

A pine cone!

Draw a row of little curved scales along each folded edge. Put it in a bowl with some acorns for an autumn table.

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