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Origami Carrot

Narrow a square with two pairs of edge folds, then pleat and shape the upper packet into a short stalk above a long carrot root.

Preparation + 14 numbered steps

Materials

6-inch square · 6 × 6 inches

One 6 × 6-inch square (15.24 × 15.24 cm) of thin origami paper. Ruler and pencil for shaping marks. Orange paper with a contrasting reverse works well. No cuts or glue.

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Read all illustrated steps ↓Download PDF ↓ · one-page illustrated guide
Origami Carrot: a long tapered root with a short folded stalk
A long tapered root with a short folded stalk

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Preparation

The interactive guide needs JavaScript. Read every illustrated step below.

Camera only; does not change the fold.
Help · controls & diagram

Play or drag the progress slider to watch a fold from 0% to 100%. Use the view buttons or drag the diagram to look from another angle.

Blue and gold track the original halves of one sheet, not your paper colors. Darker shades show the reverse. Orange highlights moving paper and its hinge.

With the diagram focused: Space plays or pauses, ←/→ change steps, and Home resets.

Every step, at a glance

Compare your paper with each diagram after completing the action. Blue and gold track the original halves of one sheet, not your paper colors. Darker shades show the reverse. Orange highlights moving paper and its hinge.

  1. 0. Prepare the diamond
  2. 1. Crease the center
  3. 2. Open the diamond
  4. 3. Fold the lower right edge in
  5. 4. Fold the lower left edge in
  6. 5. Narrow the right side again
  7. 6. Narrow the left side again
  8. 7. Fold the top point behind
  9. 8. Lower the head packet
  10. 9. Return the head upward
  11. 10. Shape the right stalk shoulder
  12. 11. Shape the left stalk shoulder
  13. 12. Trim the right shoulder with a fold
  14. 13. Trim the left shoulder with a fold
  15. 14. Show the carrot
  1. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldPrepare the diamond

    PREPARATION · Origami Club carrot diagram; measured shaping adaptation

    Prepare the diamond

    Place a square with a corner pointing down and the intended root color facing down.

    Layers: One uncut square.

    Check: The top and bottom corners line up.

    Explore this step ↑
  2. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldCrease the center

    STEP 1 · Origami Club carrot diagram; measured shaping adaptation

    Crease the center

    Bring the right point across to the left point and press the fold.

    Layers: Move the full right half.

    Check: The side points coincide.

    Explore this step ↑
  3. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldOpen the diamond

    STEP 2 · Origami Club carrot diagram; measured shaping adaptation

    Open the diamond

    Unfold completely.

    Layers: Return the same half to the table.

    Check: A vertical center crease remains.

    Explore this step ↑
  4. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldFold the lower right edge in

    STEP 3 · Origami Club carrot diagram; measured shaping adaptation

    Fold the lower right edge in

    Bring the lower right sloping edge onto the vertical center crease. Keep the bottom point fixed.

    Layers: Move the complete right corner flap.

    Check: The old lower edge lies along the center.

    Explore this step ↑
  5. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldFold the lower left edge in

    STEP 4 · Origami Club carrot diagram; measured shaping adaptation

    Fold the lower left edge in

    Match the lower left sloping edge to the center crease.

    Layers: Move the left corner flap.

    Check: The two long folded edges meet.

    Explore this step ↑
  6. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldNarrow the right side again

    STEP 5 · Origami Club carrot diagram; measured shaping adaptation

    Narrow the right side again

    Bring the new lower right sloping edge onto the center crease.

    Layers: Carry every layer in the right flap.

    Check: The lower point becomes more slender.

    Explore this step ↑
  7. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldNarrow the left side again

    STEP 6 · Origami Club carrot diagram; measured shaping adaptation

    Narrow the left side again

    Match the new lower left sloping edge to the center.

    Layers: Carry every layer in the left flap.

    Check: The narrow root is symmetric.

    Explore this step ↑
  8. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldFold the top point behind

    STEP 7 · Origami Club carrot diagram; measured shaping adaptation

    Fold the top point behind

    Mark a horizontal line 0.85 inches below the original top point. Fold the small upper point away from you on this line.

    Layers: Carry the complete upper point to the back.

    Check: A short straight top replaces the point; the two outer shoulders remain.

    Explore this step ↑
  9. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldLower the head packet

    STEP 8 · Origami Club carrot diagram; measured shaping adaptation

    Lower the head packet

    Fold the whole upper section toward you along a horizontal line 1.06 inches above the original center.

    Layers: Move every layer above the line, including the hidden top fold.

    Check: A broad flap lies across the front of the narrow root.

    Explore this step ↑
  10. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldReturn the head upward

    STEP 9 · Origami Club carrot diagram; measured shaping adaptation

    Return the head upward

    Fold the lowered head packet back up on a horizontal line 0.42 inches above the original center.

    Layers: Move only the lowered head packet. Leave the long root underneath still.

    Check: A doubled band sits below the raised head.

    Explore this step ↑
  11. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldShape the right stalk shoulder

    STEP 10 · Origami Club carrot diagram; measured shaping adaptation

    Shape the right stalk shoulder

    On the top edge of the raised head mark 0.42 inches right of center. At the bottom level of that head, measure 1.19 inches right of center. Fold the outer corner inward along the line joining those positions. The lower position is just outside the paper; extend the crease toward it.

    Layers: Move the complete raised head corner. Keep its attached bottom band and the long root still.

    Check: The stalk has a sloping right shoulder.

    Explore this step ↑
  12. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldShape the left stalk shoulder

    STEP 11 · Origami Club carrot diagram; measured shaping adaptation

    Shape the left stalk shoulder

    Mirror the same two positions on the left and fold the outer corner inward.

    Layers: Move the matching raised head corner only.

    Check: A tapered short stalk is centered above the long root.

    Explore this step ↑
  13. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldTrim the right shoulder with a fold

    STEP 12 · Origami Club carrot diagram; measured shaping adaptation

    Trim the right shoulder with a fold

    Fold the outermost right edge inward on a vertical line 1.02 inches right of center. Do not cut it.

    Layers: Carry all layers in the tiny outer strip.

    Check: The small projecting tab disappears into the packet.

    Explore this step ↑
  14. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldTrim the left shoulder with a fold

    STEP 13 · Origami Club carrot diagram; measured shaping adaptation

    Trim the left shoulder with a fold

    Repeat on a vertical line 1.02 inches left of center.

    Layers: Carry the complete matching outer strip.

    Check: The root shoulders match.

    Explore this step ↑
  15. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldShow the carrot

    STEP 14 · Origami Club carrot diagram; measured shaping adaptation

    Show the carrot

    Turn the complete model over from side to side. Press it flat for display.

    Layers: Turn all layers together.

    Check: A long pointed root sits below a short flat stalk.

    Explore this step ↑
Sources & notes

Origami Club; diagram copyright credit: Fumiaki Shingu, Origami Club: Carrot (undated web diagram).

Complete reference diagram ↗ · Reference model page ↗

The reference diagram credits Fumiaki Shingu. This does not establish traditional status, public-domain status or a design-reuse license. No source images, prose or code are reproduced. Our English instructions, geometry and diagrams are independently authored; no project-wide reuse license is implied.

Adaptation: Follows the two successive edge-to-center pairs, reverse top fold, down-and-up head pleat, narrowed stalk and turned finish. Exact pleat and shaping positions are authored six-inch landmarks, not source measurements. Our stalk uses two ordinary sloping corner folds rather than the reference inset side-pocket shaping, so it tapers instead of forming a rectangular stem. Two small all-layer edge folds hide projecting shoulder tabs. Paired folds are taught separately. The flat stalk represents the leafy top without cutting fringe.

Original instructions and diagrams, made with AI assistance. About & reuse

Accuracy notes

Real-paper follow-along and paper weight have not been tested. Diagrams illustrate the sequence, not paper thickness, contact, collisions or exact layer visibility. Rigid hinges preserve the material coordinates of one uncut square. Complete layered packets move together. Zero-thickness teaching diagrams do not simulate thickness or certify physical foldability. Real-paper folding has not been tested.