Easy Origami Basket

Create a handy and charming easy origami basket with just a sheet of A4 paper!

Perfect for party favors, Easter goodies, or as a stylish organizer for small items.

Crafting your own easy origami basket is not only a fun activity but also a practical one.

This beginner-friendly project transforms a simple sheet of A4 paper into a functional basket that's ideal for a variety of uses.

From holding candies at a party to organizing stationery on your desk, these baskets are versatile and visually appealing.

For a sturdier design, especially when making larger baskets, lightweight cardstock is an excellent choice.

This basket design is perfect for seasonal celebrations like Easter or Christmas, where it can hold small chocolate eggs or goodies.

It's also great for Mother's Day, storing small gifts like jewelry or trinkets.

Planning a rustic wedding? These baskets can serve as elegant favor holders.

And they're also perfect for Halloween. Make them using Halloween themed cardstock and fill them will candy!

Customize them with decorative paper to suit the occasion, whether it's a pastel theme for spring or bold hues for summer picnics.

In addition to its practicality, the folding process is a soothing and satisfying experience.

You'll love the simplicity of this craft and the joy it brings when gifting or using your handmade baskets.

Ready to start?

Grab some A4 paper and get folding!

Why You'll Love This Pattern

• Perfect for parties, picnics, or even organizing craft supplies.
• Eco-Friendly Craft: A reusable alternative to disposable containers.
• Beginner-Friendly: No advanced skills or tools required.
• Customizable: Decorate with paint, stickers, or stamps to suit any theme.
• Quick and Fun: Great for last-minute projects or as a kids' craft.
• Perfect for Gifts: Ideal for presenting small items or treats.

Skill Level

★★☆☆☆ (Easy)

Materials Needed

• 1 sheet of A4 Paper: Ideal for this basket (see below for sample sizes). Lightweight cardstock is recommended for larger sizes.
• Scissors
• Glue

Paper GSM Guide

• 70-100 GSM: Standard A4 paper, perfect for small or medium baskets.
• 120-160 GSM: Lightweight cardstock for larger, sturdier baskets.

Instructions

Making The Basket Body

Step 1: Start with the color you want your basket to be facing up. Arrange the paper to sit horizontally.

Step 2: Fold the bottom left corner up to meet the top edge.

Step 3: Cut along the line shown. You will end up with a folded triangle and strip of paper.

Step 4: Set the strip of paper aside, we will use this to make the handles later. Working on the folded triangle, open it out to form a square. Make sure the color you want your basket to be is facing up.

Step 5: Fold the bottom right corner up to meet the top left corner.

Step 6: Unfold previous step. You should now have 2 creases that form an "x."

Step 7: Flip your paper over from left to right.

Step 8: Fold the bottom edge to the top edge.

Step 9: Unfold previous step.

Step 10: Fold the left edge to the right edge.

Step 11: Unfold previous step.

Step 12: Rotate your paper 45 degrees so that it sits like a diamond.

Step 13: Hold the left and right sides of the paper and bring the left and right points to meet bottom point. You will find the paper starts to collapse on itself. It will form a square.

Step 14: Making sure the open edge is towards you: Fold the top right diagonal edge (top layer only) to the middle crease.

Step 15: Unfold previous step.

Step 16: Lift the top right flap up so it stands 90 degrees along the middle crease.

Step 17: Slightly open out the flap and then squash fold so that it sits flat.

Step 18: Fold the left side of the top flap to the right.

Step 19: Repeat steps 14 to 18 for the left side.

Step 20: Flip your paper over from left to right.

Step 21: Repeat steps 14 to 19.

Step 22: Fold the bottom left and right diagonal edges (top layer only) in to meet the middle crease.

Step 23: Fold the bottom point up (top layer only) so that its folded edge aligns with the edge of the colored section.

Step 24: Unfold previous step.

Step 25: Fold the bottom point up once again, but this time to meet the crease you made in step 23.

Step 26: Unfold previous step.

Step 27: Refold the bottom point up along the crease you made in step 23.

Step 28: Tuck the tip of the same point into the small pocket found underneath it.

Step 29: Flip your paper over from left to right.

Step 30: Repeat steps 22 to 28.

Step 31: Turn the left side of the paper to the right, like you are turning a page in a book.

Step 32: Flip your paper over and repeat previous step.

Step 33: Repeat steps 22 to 28 for both sides.

Step 34: Rotate your paper 180 degrees, so that the point is towards you.

Step 35: Fold the point up to meet the bottom edge of the top section. Crease well.

Step 36: Unfold previous step.

Step 37: Carefully open out your basket, gently pushing out the sides. As you do so, it can help to hold the top edges so that the bowl doesn't come apart.

Step 38: Flatten the bottom of the basket by pressing down gently on the point and re crease the edges.

Step 39: Completed basket body.

Making the Handles

Step 1: Using the strip of paper you cut from step 1 of "making the basket body." Start with the color you want your handle to be facing down. Arrange the paper to sit horizontally.

Step 2: Fold the bottom edge up to meet the top.

Step 3: Unfold previous step.

Step 4: Fold the bottom and top edges in to meet the middle crease.

Common Mistakes & How To Avoid Them

• Weak Creases: Use a bone folder or your fingernail to make folds sharp.
• Uneven Walls: Align your edges carefully before creasing.
• Paper Tears: Avoid over-folding thin paper; opt for cardstock if sturdiness is required.

Color, Paper Ideas, and Variations

• Spring Pastels: Lovely for Easter baskets or garden parties.
• Bright colors are ideal for kids' parties.
• Metallics or Foils: Create elegant favor baskets for weddings.
• Holiday Themes: Use red and green paper for Christmas or gold and black for New Year's. You could even use holiday themed cardstock, such as Halloween cardstock, Easter cardstock, or Christmas themed cardstock.

FAQ

Other Paper Crafts You Might Like To Try:

• DIY Gift Bags From Wrapping Paper
• Easy Talking Origami Fish
• Blossom Origami Heart
• Paper Chain
• Origami Star Bowl
• Origami Swan
• Origami Mouse
• Square Paper Envelope

Helpful Origami Tips

If you're curious to learn more about origami, you might like to look at our basic guides on how to make some common origami folds.

Start with the valley fold and mountain fold-these are the foundation of most origami models.

Once you're comfortable, you might like to try the petal fold for 3D shapes, and explore the bird base and square base for more complex designs.

The water bomb base is also great for creating inflatable or geometric models, like this inflatable origami rabbit.

Useful Paper Craft Terms

Want to learn a little more about paper crafts and origami?

We've made this helpful printable just for you. It explains common terms and helpful tips you might come across when you are folding origami or making a paper craft project.

You can download the useful paper craft terms printable PDF here.