This hanging paper towel holder adds a cozy Christmas look to your kitchen and takes an afternoon or two. Two cream crochet cords hang from a small wooden ring and spread out into an A-frame. They carry two wooden dowels: the top one holds a paper towel roll and the bottom one holds a hand towel. Eight mini wreaths in sage green, each with a cranberry-red bow, sit along the cords. A ninth wreath decorates the towel.
The colors are soft and classic: cream cords, muted sage-green wreaths and deep cranberry bows. The cords are worked as Romanian cord, which looks like a neat braided “V” on both faces. Each wreath is a thick, solid ring of double crochet with a small open center.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished holder is about 14 in (35.6 cm) wide at the dowels and about 27 in (68.6 cm) tall from the top of the ring to the lower dowel. Each wreath is 2.5 in (6.4 cm) across.
The construction is simple. You make two cords, nine wreaths and nine bows. Sew the bows to the wreaths and tie the cords to the ring and dowels. Then tack the wreaths onto the cords. On each side, two of the wreaths hide the places where the cord wraps around a dowel.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: about 14 in (35.6 cm) wide x 27 in (68.6 cm) tall
- Skill level: Easy
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: worsted (#4)
- Hooks: 3.5 mm (E-4) for wreaths and bows; 4.0 mm (G-6) for cords
- Number of pieces: 2 cords, 9 wreaths, 9 bows (20 crocheted pieces)
- Layout: A-frame; 4 wreaths on each cord, 1 wreath on the towel
- Piece size: wreath 2.5 in (6.4 cm) across; cord 34 in (86.4 cm) long
- Wreath size before border: 2.25 in (5.7 cm) across
- Border depth: about 0.125 in (0.3 cm) on each side of the wreath
Materials
Use a smooth worsted yarn. Cotton or a cotton blend is best for the cords because it stretches less under the weight of a paper towel roll. Acrylic works well for the wreaths and bows.
- Cream (cords): 35 g, about 70 m
- Sage green (wreaths): 45 g, about 90 m
- Cranberry red (bows): 20 g, about 40 m
These amounts include about 20 percent extra for swatching and tails.
Tools and hardware:
- 3.5 mm (E-4) and 4.0 mm (G-6) crochet hooks
- 1 wooden ring, 2 in (5.1 cm) across
- 2 wooden dowels, 14 in (35.6 cm) long and 5/8 in (1.6 cm) thick
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors, stitch markers, measuring tape
- Blocking mat and pins
- Optional: 1 hand towel for the ninth wreath
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- yo – yarn over
- Rd – round
Special stitch – Romanian cord row: Turn the cord to the left, like turning the page of a book. Insert the hook under the 2 loops that are now on the left edge, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through both loops on the hook. Each turn and stitch counts as 1 row.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge matters most for the wreaths, since all nine should match. Make one complete wreath first and measure it before you make the rest.
- Wreath, after Rd 1: 1.5 in (3.8 cm) across, with a center hole about 0.6 in (1.5 cm) wide
- Wreath, after Rd 2: 2.25 in (5.7 cm) across
- Wreath, after border: 2.5 in (6.4 cm) across
- Cord: 4 rows = 1 in (2.5 cm); cord width about 3/8 in (1.0 cm)
- Bow: 1.6 in (4.1 cm) wide when finished
If your wreath is too big, use a hook 0.5 mm smaller. If it is too small, use a hook 0.5 mm larger. If the cord feels loose and stretchy, switch to a 3.5 mm hook. You check the cord by measuring it, so small gauge differences are easy to fix by adding or removing rows.
Wreath (Make 9)
With sage green and a 3.5 mm hook:
Ch 10. Sl st to the first ch to form a ring.
Rd 1: Ch 2 (does not count as a st). Work 20 dc into the ring, covering it completely. Sl st to the first dc to join. (20 dc)
Slide the stitches around the ring so the center hole stays open at about 0.6 in (1.5 cm). Check: 1.5 in (3.8 cm) across.
Rd 2: Ch 2 (does not count as a st). Dc in next st, 2 dc in next st; repeat from * 9 more times. Sl st to the first dc to join. (30 dc)
Check: the wreath lies flat and measures 2.25 in (5.7 cm) across. Go straight on to the border round in the Border section below.
Bow (Make 9)
The bow has two parts: a loop piece that makes the two loops, and a tail piece that makes the two hanging tails.
Loop piece – with cranberry red and a 3.5 mm hook:
Ch 16. Sl st to the first ch to form a ring, taking care not to twist the chain.
Rd 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around. Sl st to the first sc to join. (16 sc)
Fasten off, leaving a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail.
Tail piece:
Ch 11.
Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (10 sc)
Fasten off and weave in both ends. The strip is about 2 in (5.1 cm) long.
Assemble the bow:
- Flatten the loop piece into an oval, with the joining seam at the center back.
- Fold the tail piece in half into a V. Place it behind the oval with the fold at the top center.
- Using the long tail, wrap tightly around the center of all the layers 5 times. This pinches the oval into two loops and holds the tails in place behind them.
- Take a few stitches through the back of the wrap to lock it. Keep the tail for sewing.
The finished bow is about 1.6 in (4.1 cm) wide, and each tail hangs about 1 in (2.5 cm).
Cord (Make 2)
With cream and a 4.0 mm hook:
Ch 2. Sc in the 2nd ch from hook. This is row 1.
Rows 2–136: Work Romanian cord rows. (136 rows total)
Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail.
Check: each cord measures 34 in (86.4 cm). The length is made up of these sections:
- Ring wrap: 2 in (5.1 cm), 8 rows
- Slanted section: 18 in (45.7 cm), 72 rows
- Upper dowel wrap: 2.5 in (6.4 cm), 10 rows
- Drop section: 8 in (20.3 cm), 32 rows
- Lower dowel wrap and tail: 3.5 in (8.9 cm), 14 rows
Total: 8 + 72 + 10 + 32 + 14 = 136 rows. Before you assemble, mark the end of each section with a stitch marker or a piece of contrast thread.
Make All Pieces
Count your finished pieces:
- Sage green: 9 wreaths
- Cranberry red: 9 bows
- Cream: 2 cords
Layout (front view, W = wreath):
( ring )
/ \
W / \ W
/ \
W / \ W
/ \
W ==== upper dowel ==== W
| |
| |
W ==== lower dowel ==== W
towel: W
Joining
Bows to wreaths: Center a bow at the 12 o’clock position on each wreath, so it covers Rds 1–2 and the border at the top. Using the red tail, sew through the wrapped center of the bow and into the wreath. Then tack each tail end down with one small stitch. Sew from the back so the stitches hide between the dc.
Cords to ring: Fold the first 2 in (5.1 cm) of each cord around the ring and sew the cord end flat against the cord. Lay the two cords side by side. With a 20 in (50.8 cm) length of cream yarn, wrap both cords together about 8 times, 0.75 in (1.9 cm) below the ring, and secure the end.
Cords to dowels: Wrap the 2.5 in (6.4 cm) upper dowel section once around the upper dowel, 0.5 in (1.3 cm) in from the end. Sew the wrap to the cord through the cord stitches. Do the same at the lower dowel with the last 3.5 in (8.9 cm), sewing the end flat on the back. The cords end up 13 in (33.0 cm) apart, which leaves room for a standard 11 in (27.9 cm) paper towel roll.
Check: both slanted sections measure 18 in (45.7 cm). Lay the holder flat and make sure both dowels are level.
Wreaths to cords: Each wreath has 30 border sts. Lay the cord behind the wreath so it runs straight across the center, crossing the border at st 1 and st 16. These two points are directly opposite each other because 30 ÷ 2 = 15, so 15 sts separate them on each side. With cream yarn, tack the cord to 2 border sts at each crossing point.
Placement on each cord, measured down the slanted section from the ring:
- Wreath 1: at 5 in (12.7 cm)
- Wreath 2: at 11 in (27.9 cm)
- Wreath 3: centered over the upper dowel wrap
- Wreath 4: centered over the lower dowel wrap
Wreaths 3 and 4 hide the dowel wraps. Tack them to the cord just above and just below the dowel, but never around the dowel itself. That way you can still slide the dowels out.
Keep your tension relaxed while sewing, because tight stitches make the wreath cup. Sew the ninth wreath to the lower center of the towel with sage green yarn, using small stitches through the border round.
Border: Wreath Edge Round
The wreath border is a single round of sc worked straight after Rd 2. It firms up the outer edge and gives each wreath its solid, rounded rim.
Border gauge: 6 sc = about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) along the outer edge, matching the dc spacing of Rd 2.
Rd 3 (border): Ch 1, sc in each st around. Sl st to the first sc to join. (30 worked 1-per-st + 0 added = 30 sc)
Fasten off, leaving a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail for sewing. Weave in the starting tail.
Check: 2.5 in (6.4 cm) across.
Why the math works: A wreath is round, so it has no sides or corners and needs no corner stitches. Rd 2 already has the right number of stitches for the outer edge. Adding stitches in a short sc round would make the edge ruffle, and skipping stitches would make it cup. Working exactly 1 sc in each st keeps the count at 30 and the wreath flat. The sc round adds about 0.125 in (0.3 cm) on each side, so the wreath grows from 2.25 in (5.7 cm) to 2.5 in (6.4 cm).
Final Blocking
- If you can, block the wreaths before sewing on the bows.
- Pin each wreath on a mat into a true circle 2.5 in (6.4 cm) across, with the center hole round and open.
- Mist with water until damp but not soaked.
- Leave to dry completely, about 6 hours.
- While the bows are slightly damp, shape the loops with your fingers so they stay rounded.
- Do not block the cords. Instead, hang the finished holder with a full paper towel roll for one day so the cords settle.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- All 9 wreaths measure 2.5 in (6.4 cm) across, within 0.1 in (0.3 cm)
- Each wreath has 20 dc in Rd 1, 30 dc in Rd 2 and 30 sc in the border
- Every bow is centered at 12 o’clock, with its tails hanging evenly
- Both cords measured 34 in (86.4 cm) before assembly
- The cords are 13 in (33.0 cm) apart on both dowels
- Both dowels hang level
- The wreaths sit at the same heights on both cords
- All ends are woven in and the wrap below the ring is secure
Troubleshooting
Wreath ruffles: Your dc are too loose, or Rd 1 has extra stitches. Recount to 20 and 30, or go down a hook size.
Wreath cups: Your stitches are too tight, or you missed an increase in Rd 2. Recount, or go up a hook size.
Center hole closes up: Work Rd 1 more loosely, or start with ch 11 instead of ch 10.
Bow loops collapse: Wrap the center more tightly and steam the loops lightly.
Cord stretches under the roll: Use cotton yarn, or use a smaller hook to make a firmer cord.
Dowels hang crooked: Unpick one dowel wrap and adjust it until both slanted sections measure 18 in (45.7 cm).
Care
Remove the dowels and hand wash the crochet pieces in cool water with mild soap. Lay them flat to dry, reshaping the wreaths to 2.5 in (6.4 cm) across.
Final Notes
The measurements are short and easy to check. Each wreath grows from 1.5 in (3.8 cm) to 2.25 in (5.7 cm) to 2.5 in (6.4 cm) across, with 20, 30 and 30 stitches. Each cord is 136 rows, or 34 in (86.4 cm) long. It splits into a 2 in (5.1 cm) ring wrap, an 18 in (45.7 cm) slant, a 2.5 in (6.4 cm) upper wrap, an 8 in (20.3 cm) drop and a 3.5 in (8.9 cm) lower wrap. Put together, the holder is about 14 in (35.6 cm) wide and 27 in (68.6 cm) tall.
Measure at each checkpoint and keep all nine wreaths the same size. Your holder will hang straight and look festive all season.
Happy crocheting!