This hanging toilet paper holder brings a soft cottage-garden touch to a bathroom wall. Three cream baskets hang one above the other on two slim cords. Each basket holds one spare roll and has a five-petal flower with a pair of green leaves.
The colors are gentle: cream for the baskets and cords, pink and powder blue for the flowers, warm yellow for the flower centers, and leaf green. The top two baskets have pink flowers and the bottom basket has a blue one. Two tiny pink flowers sit at the tops of the cords where they loop over a wooden dowel.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. Each basket is about 6 in (15.2 cm) wide. The finished holder is about 20 in (50.8 cm) long from the top of the hanging loops to the cord ends. Each basket is about 3.75 in (9.5 cm) tall.
Construction is simple. Each basket starts with a flat rectangular base worked in rows, then one flat edging round. The walls are worked upward in a bumpy lemon peel stitch and finished with a plain single crochet rim. The two cords are slip-stitch chains. You sew on the flowers and leaves first, then sew the cords to the sides of the baskets.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: about 6 in (15.2 cm) wide x 20 in (50.8 cm) long, hanging
- Skill level: Easy to intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4), cotton or cotton blend
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 3 baskets, 2 cords, 3 large flowers, 6 leaves, 2 small flowers
- Layout: 1 column of 3 baskets, hanging from 2 cords
- Piece size (one basket): front 6 in (15.2 cm) wide, side 4.6 in (11.7 cm) deep, 3.75 in (9.5 cm) tall
- Size before border: walls 3 in (7.6 cm) tall after Rnd 11
- Border depth: 0.75 in (1.9 cm), 3 rounds of single crochet
Materials
Choose a smooth worsted cotton or cotton blend. Cotton holds the basket shape well and copes with a humid bathroom better than acrylic. The amounts below assume about 170 m per 100 g.
- Cream (main color): 200 g, about 340 m
- Pink: 15 g, about 26 m
- Powder blue: 10 g, about 17 m
- Yellow: 10 g, about 17 m
- Green: 10 g, about 17 m
Tools:
- 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- 4 locking stitch markers
- Scissors and tape measure
- Wooden dowel, 10 in (25.4 cm) long and 0.5 in (1.3 cm) thick
- 2 small nails or adhesive hooks to hang the dowel
All quantities include a margin of about 15 percent for gauge testing and sewing tails.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- BLO – back loop only
- MR – magic ring
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sp – space
- Rnd – round
Lemon peel stitch (in the round): On odd rounds, alternate sc and dc in the next stitches. On even rounds, work a dc into every sc and a sc into every dc. The short and tall stitches push against each other and make the pebbly texture on the basket walls.
Slip-stitch cord: Chain the number given, then sl st into the back bump of the 2nd ch from the hook and of each ch across. This makes a firm cord with little stretch.
Gauge and Checkpoints
- Single crochet: 14 sc and 16 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm)
- Lemon peel: 14 sts and 13 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm)
- Slip-stitch cord: 7 sts = 2 in (5.1 cm)
Make one complete basket before starting the others. It is your real gauge swatch.
Checkpoints:
- After base Row 16: about 5.5 in (14.0 cm) x 4 in (10.2 cm).
- After the base edging round: about 6 in (15.2 cm) x 4.5 in (11.4 cm), lying flat.
- After Rnd 11: walls 3 in (7.6 cm) tall.
- After the rim: walls 3.75 in (9.5 cm) tall, front 6 in (15.2 cm) wide.
If your base is too big, go down 0.5 mm. If it is too small, go up 0.5 mm. Test a spare roll in the first finished basket. Lying on its side, the roll should drop in easily, with about a third of its height showing above the rim.
Basket (make 3)
Use cream throughout.
Base
Ch 20.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (19 sc)
Rows 2–16: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (19 sc)
Checkpoint: 5.5 in (14.0 cm) x 4 in (10.2 cm). Do not fasten off.
Base Edging (flat)
Rnd 1: Ch 1, do not turn. Work around all four edges:
- 3 sc in the first st of Row 16 (corner), sc in next 17 sts, 3 sc in last st (corner).
- Down the row ends: (sc in next 7 row-ends, skip 1 row-end) twice. (14 sc)
- Along the foundation chain: 3 sc in first ch (corner), sc in next 17 ch, 3 sc in last ch (corner).
- Up the other row ends: (sc in next 7 row-ends, skip 1 row-end) twice. (14 sc)
- Sl st to first sc.
Count: 17 + 14 + 17 + 14 straight sts, plus 4 corner groups x 3 sts = 62 + 12 = 74 sc.
Place a marker in the center sc of each 3-sc corner group. These 4 center stitches are the basket corners. The base should lie flat at about 6 in (15.2 cm) x 4.5 in (11.4 cm).
Walls
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, sl st to first sc. (74 sc) The unused front loops form a neat ridge, and the walls turn upward.
Rnd 3: Ch 1, (sc in next st, dc in next st) 37 times, sl st to first sc. (74 sts: 37 sc, 37 dc)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, (dc in next sc, sc in next dc) 37 times, sl st to first dc. (74 sts: 37 dc, 37 sc)
Rnds 5, 7, 9, 11: Repeat Rnd 3. (74 sts each)
Rnds 6, 8, 10: Repeat Rnd 4. (74 sts each)
Checkpoint after Rnd 11: walls 3 in (7.6 cm) tall. Do not fasten off. Work the rim now (see the Border section), then come back here for the flowers and leaves.
The stitch count never changes on the walls, so the sides rise straight. Keep the round joins at one back corner and do not turn between rounds. Move the corner markers up every few rounds.
Large Flower (make 3: 2 pink, 1 blue)
Rnd 1: With yellow, MR, 10 sc in ring, sl st to first sc. (10 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, sl st to first sc. Fasten off yellow. (20 sc)
Checkpoint: the center measures 1.25 in (3.2 cm) across.
Rnd 3: Join pink (or blue) in any st. *Sc in next st, (hdc, 2 dc) in next st, (2 dc, hdc) in next st, sc in next st; repeat from * 4 more times, sl st to first sc. (5 petals of 8 sts each, 40 sts)
Each petal uses 4 stitches of Rnd 2, and 5 x 4 = 20. The flower measures about 2.5 in (6.4 cm) across. Leave a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail.
Leaf (make 6)
With green, ch 6.
Rnd 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, (sc, ch 2, sc) in last ch for the tip; working along the other side of the chain, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sc in last ch, sl st to first sc. (10 sts and one ch-2 sp)
Each leaf is about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) long with a pointed tip. Leave a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail.
Small Flower (make 2)
Rnd 1: With yellow, MR, 5 sc in ring, sl st to first sc. Fasten off. (5 sc)
Rnd 2: Join pink in any st. *(Sl st, ch 2, dc, ch 2, sl st) in same st; repeat from * in each st around. Fasten off. (5 petals)
Each small flower is about 1 in (2.5 cm) across.
Cord (make 2)
With cream, ch 78.
Row 1: Sl st in back bump of 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (77 sl st)
The cord is about 22 in (55.9 cm) long. Leave a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail at each end.
Appliqué Assembly
- Flatten one basket with the round joins at a back corner. The front is the long side away from the joins.
- Center a flower on the front, with its middle level with Rnd 7.
- Tuck the base of one leaf under the lower-left petals so the tip points down and outward. Tuck a second leaf under the right petals so it points out to the right.
- Sew the leaves first, then sew around each petal with small stitches through the outer loops.
Pink flowers go on two baskets and the blue flower goes on the third.
Make All Pieces
- Cream: 3 baskets, 2 cords
- Pink: 2 large flowers (Rnd 3), 2 small flowers (Rnd 2)
- Powder blue: 1 large flower (Rnd 3)
- Yellow: 5 flower centers
- Green: 6 leaves
Layout (top to bottom):
[============ dowel ============]
loop + small flower loop + small flower
| |
[ Basket 1 - pink flower ]
| |
[ Basket 2 - pink flower ]
| |
[ Basket 3 - blue flower ]
| |
cord tail cord tail
Joining
The cords are sewn to the center of each short side of every basket.
Marking the sides: The 4 corner stitches divide each basket wall into four sides:
- Front: 21 sts (19 between the corners plus both corner sts)
- Side: 16 sts (between the corners, no corner sts)
- Back: 21 sts
- Side: 16 sts
That gives 21 + 16 + 21 + 16 = 74. Mark the 8th st of each 16-st side as the center line for the cord.
Stitch-to-stitch logic: Each basket wall has 13 rounds from bottom to top: Rnd 2, Rnds 3–11, and Rim Rnds 12–14. The cord gauge is 7 sts per 2 in, so 13 cord stitches cover about 3.7 in (9.4 cm). That matches the 3.75 in (9.5 cm) wall. Sew 1 cord stitch to each wall round.
Cord positions, counted from the bottom end of the cord:
- Sts 1–7: free tail, 2 in (5.1 cm)
- Sts 8–20: Basket 3 (13 sts)
- Sts 21–25: gap (5 sts, about 1.5 in / 3.8 cm)
- Sts 26–38: Basket 2 (13 sts)
- Sts 39–43: gap (5 sts)
- Sts 44–56: Basket 1 (13 sts)
- Sts 57–63: free cord above Basket 1 (7 sts, 2 in / 5.1 cm)
- Sts 64–77: loop (14 sts)
Total: 7 + 13 + 5 + 13 + 5 + 13 + 7 + 14 = 77 sts.
Method: Lay the cord along the marked center line. Whipstitch through the cord and the matching wall stitch, starting at Rnd 2 and finishing at Rim Rnd 14. Work 2 whipstitches per round for strength.
Tension: Pull each stitch snug but not tight. The cord must lie flat against the wall without puckering it. If the wall ripples, unpick and sew it again more loosely.
Loop: Fold sts 71–77 down onto sts 64–70 and sew the cord end at st 63. This makes a loop about 2 in (5.1 cm) tall. Sew a small flower over the join.
Size checkpoint: Lay the holder flat. From loop top to cord tail it should measure about 20 in (50.8 cm). Both cords must match exactly, so compare them stitch by stitch before sewing.
Border
The border is the basket rim. Work it on each basket right after Rnd 11, before any sewing.
Border gauge: 14 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm) across, 4 rounds = 1 in (2.5 cm) tall.
Rnd 12: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to first sc. (74 sc: front 21, side 16, back 21, side 16)
Rnd 13: Repeat Rnd 12. (74 sc: 21, 16, 21, 16)
Rnd 14: Repeat Rnd 12. Fasten off and weave in the tail. (74 sc: 21, 16, 21, 16)
Why the math works:
- Rnd 11 ends with 74 sts. The rim is worked 1 sc per existing stitch with none added, so it stays at 74 and the walls stay straight.
- The side counts come from the base edging. Each long side has 17 straight sts, plus the outer st of each corner group next to it (19), plus the 2 corner sts, for 21.
- Each short side has 14 straight sts plus the outer st of each corner group next to it, for 16.
- At 14 sts per 4 in, 21 sts measure 6 in (15.2 cm) and 16 sts measure 4.6 in (11.7 cm).
- Three sc rounds add 0.75 in (1.9 cm), taking the 3 in (7.6 cm) wall to 3.75 in (9.5 cm).
Final Blocking
- Mist each basket lightly with a spray bottle. Do not soak the sewn-on flowers.
- Put a spare roll on its side in each basket, or a box of the same size, to set the shape.
- Square the four corners with your fingers and smooth the rim level.
- Press the flower petals flat and pinch the leaves into points.
- Lay the cords straight and shape the loops round.
- Let everything dry completely, at least 24 hours, before hanging.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Each basket has 74 sts in every wall and rim round.
- Each edged base measures 6 in (15.2 cm) x 4.5 in (11.4 cm).
- Each basket is 3.75 in (9.5 cm) tall.
- Rim counts are 21, 16, 21, 16 on all three baskets.
- Flowers are centered on the front and level with Rnd 7.
- Both cords have 77 sts and the baskets sit at the same positions on each.
- Gaps between baskets are about 1.5 in (3.8 cm).
- Loops slide easily over the dowel.
- All tails are woven in and hidden.
Troubleshooting
Walls flare outward: Your dc stitches are too loose. Go down a hook size for the lemon peel rounds only.
Walls lean inward: Check that you did not skip a stitch at the round joins. Recount to 74.
Texture looks like plain ribs: You worked dc into dc. Each dc must sit on top of a sc.
Flower cups: Rnd 2 is too tight. Work the 2-sc increases more loosely.
Baskets hang crooked: The cords are sewn at different heights. Recount the cord positions and sew again.
Roll does not fit: Add 2 ch to the base chain and 1 base row, then test the fit before continuing. Keep the wall count even for lemon peel.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap and lay flat to dry, shaping each basket over a roll. Do not tumble dry, as the cords may stretch.
Final Notes
Here is the full measurement chain. The base reaches 5.5 in (14.0 cm) x 4 in (10.2 cm). The edging brings it to 6 in (15.2 cm) x 4.5 in (11.4 cm) with 74 sts. The lemon peel walls reach 3 in (7.6 cm), and the rim finishes each basket at 3.75 in (9.5 cm). Thirteen wall rounds match thirteen cord stitches. The two 77-stitch cords hang the three baskets at a total length of about 20 in (50.8 cm).
Check your gauge on the first basket and keep both cords identical, and the rest will fall into place.
Happy crocheting!