This hanging toilet paper holder has three soft oval baskets stacked in a column. Each basket holds one standing roll. A single long strap runs up both sides and loops over a wooden ring, so the whole holder hangs from one wall hook.
The baskets are light lavender in an offset shell stitch that gives a dense, scalloped texture. Each basket has a deep purple rim. On the front of each one is a cream five-petal flower with a golden center and two green leaves, which gives the bathroom a fresh cottage feel.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished holder measures about 7 in (17.8 cm) wide and 21 in (53.3 cm) long, including the ring. Each basket base is about 5 x 6.75 in (12.7 x 17.1 cm), and each basket is 3.25 in (8.3 cm) tall.
Here is the construction in order:
1. Work an oval base in single crochet rounds.
2. Turn up the sides with a back-loop round.
3. Work five shell rounds, then add a three-round purple rim.
4. Make a flat strap, three flowers, and six leaves.
5. Sew everything together.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 7 in (17.8 cm) wide x 21 in (53.3 cm) long
- Skill level: Easy-intermediate
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4) cotton
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 3 baskets, 1 strap, 3 flowers, 6 leaves, 1 wooden ring
- Layout: 1 column of 3 baskets, with the strap along both sides
- Basket size: 5 x 6.75 in (12.7 x 17.1 cm) base, 3.25 in (8.3 cm) tall
- Basket height before rim: 2.75 in (7.0 cm)
- Rim (border) depth: 0.5 in (1.3 cm)
Materials
Use a smooth worsted-weight cotton. Cotton holds its shape in a humid bathroom and keeps the shells crisp. Acrylic also works, but the baskets will be softer. The meterage below assumes about 170 m per 100 g.
- Color A, light lavender (baskets, strap): 180 g, about 306 m
- Color B, deep purple (rims): 30 g, about 51 m
- Color C, cream (petals): 10 g, about 17 m
- Color D, golden yellow (flower centers): 5 g, about 9 m
- Color E, leaf green (leaves): 10 g, about 17 m
These quantities include a margin of about 15 percent to cover gauge differences and tails.
Tools: 5.0 mm (H-8) hook, one wooden ring 3 in (7.6 cm) across, tapestry needle, 4 locking stitch markers, measuring tape, rustproof pins.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- tr: treble crochet
- BLO: back loop only
- MR: magic ring
- st(s): stitch(es)
- Rnd: round
Special stitches:
- Shell (sh): 5 dc in the same st.
- Split shell: At the start of a round, ch 3 (counts as 1 dc) and work 2 dc in the first st. At the end of the round, work 2 dc in that same st. Together these make one 5-dc shell.
- Picot: ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 14 sc and 16 sc rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm). Two shell rounds = 1 in (2.5 cm) tall.
Make one complete basket first. It is your real gauge swatch, and the strap placement depends on it. Check these measurements as you go:
- After Rnd 6: the base measures about 3 x 4.75 in (7.6 x 12.1 cm).
- After Rnd 10: the base measures 5 x 6.75 in (12.7 x 17.1 cm) and lies flat.
- After Rnd 16: the sides are 2.75 in (7.0 cm) tall from the turning ridge.
- After Rnd 19: the basket is 3.25 in (8.3 cm) tall, and the rim circumference is about 20.5 in (52.1 cm).
If the base ruffles or measures too big, go down one hook size. If it cups or measures too small, go up one hook size. A standard 4.5 in (11.4 cm) roll should stand inside with a little room around it.
Basket (Make 3)
Every base round starts with ch 1, which does not count as a stitch, and ends with a sl st to the first sc.
Oval Base
With Color A, ch 9.
Rnd 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in the next 6 ch, then 3 sc in the last ch. Turn the piece so you can work along the other side of the chain. Sc in the next 6 ch, then 2 sc in the last ch (the one that holds the first sc). Join. (18 sts)
The oval now has two curved ends of 3 sts each and two straight sides of 6 sts each.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in first st, sc in next 6, 2 sc in each of next 3, sc in next 6, 2 sc in each of next 2. (24 sts)
Rnd 3: 2 sc in first st, sc in next 7, [2 sc in next, sc in next] 3 times, sc in next 6, [2 sc in next, sc in next] 2 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 4: 2 sc in first st, sc in next 8, [2 sc in next, sc in next 2] 3 times, sc in next 6, [2 sc in next, sc in next 2] 2 times. (36 sts)
Rnd 5: 2 sc in first st, sc in next 9, [2 sc in next, sc in next 3] 3 times, sc in next 6, [2 sc in next, sc in next 3] 2 times. (42 sts)
Rnd 6: 2 sc in first st, sc in next 10, [2 sc in next, sc in next 4] 3 times, sc in next 6, [2 sc in next, sc in next 4] 2 times. (48 sts)
Rnd 7: 2 sc in first st, sc in next 11, [2 sc in next, sc in next 5] 3 times, sc in next 6, [2 sc in next, sc in next 5] 2 times. (54 sts)
Rnd 8: 2 sc in first st, sc in next 12, [2 sc in next, sc in next 6] 3 times, sc in next 6, [2 sc in next, sc in next 6] 2 times. (60 sts)
Rnd 9: 2 sc in first st, sc in next 13, [2 sc in next, sc in next 7] 3 times, sc in next 6, [2 sc in next, sc in next 7] 2 times. (66 sts)
Rnd 10: 2 sc in first st, sc in next 14, [2 sc in next, sc in next 8] 3 times, sc in next 6, [2 sc in next, sc in next 8] 2 times. (72 sts)
Sides
Rnd 11 (turning ridge): Ch 1, sc BLO in each st around, join. (72 sts)
Rnd 12 (Shell Rnd A): Ch 1, sc in first st, [skip 2, sh in next, skip 2, sc in next] 11 times, skip 2, sh in next, skip 2, join to first sc. (12 shells + 12 sc = 72 sts)
Rnd 13 (Shell Rnd B): Start a split shell in the same st. Skip 2 dc, sc in center dc of the next shell, [skip 2 dc, sh in next sc, skip 2 dc, sc in center dc] 11 times, skip 2 dc. Finish the split shell, then join to the top of the ch-3. (12 shells + 12 sc = 72 sts)
Rnd 14 (Shell Rnd A): Ch 1, sc in top of the ch-3, [skip 2 dc, sh in next sc, skip 2 dc, sc in center dc] 11 times, skip 2 dc, sh in next sc, skip 2 dc, join. (72 sts)
Rnd 15: Repeat Rnd 13. (72 sts)
Rnd 16: Repeat Rnd 14. (72 sts) Fasten off Color A.
Each shell sits on a sc from the round below, so the shells shift half a repeat every round. This offset makes the scalloped texture. Add the rim (see the Border section) to each basket before you join anything.
Strap (Make 1)
With Color A, ch 141.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (140 sts)
Rows 2-3: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (140 sts)
Fasten off. The strap should measure 40 in (101.6 cm) long and 0.75 in (1.9 cm) wide.
Flower (Make 3)
Rnd 1: With Color D, work 5 sc in MR and join. (5 sts) Fasten off.
Rnd 2: Join Color C in any st. Ch 1, work 2 sc in each st, join. (10 sts)
Rnd 3: [(hdc, dc, tr, dc, hdc) in next st, sl st in next st] 5 times. (5 petals, 30 sts)
Fasten off and leave a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail. The flower measures about 2.1 in (5.3 cm) across.
Leaf (Make 6)
With Color E, ch 7.
- Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next, dc in next 2, hdc in next, sc in last ch. (6 sts)
- Work a picot for the tip.
- Working along the other side of the chain: sc in first ch, hdc in next, dc in next 2, hdc in next, sc in last ch. (6 sts)
- Sl st in the first sc.
Fasten off and leave an 8 in (20.3 cm) tail. The leaf is about 1.75 in (4.4 cm) long.
Make All Pieces
- Color A: 3 basket bodies and 1 strap
- Color B: 3 rims
- Color D + C: 3 flowers
- Color E: 6 leaves
Before joining, attach the flowers:
1. Flatten one basket so the round joins sit at one side fold.
2. Find the front center, halfway between the two folds.
3. Sew a flower there, centered over Rnds 13-15.
4. Tuck one leaf under each side of the flower, angled slightly down, and sew it in place.
5. Repeat for the other two baskets.
Layout:
( ring )
/ \
strap strap
|[ Basket 1 ]|
| gap |
|[ Basket 2 ]|
| gap |
|[ Basket 3 ]|
Joining
Lay the strap flat and count from each end. Each half of the strap has 70 sts. Count the same way from both ends:
- Sts 1-11: Basket 3 (bottom)
- Sts 12-18: gap
- Sts 19-29: Basket 2
- Sts 30-36: gap
- Sts 37-47: Basket 1 (top)
- Sts 48-70: free section up to the ring
From the other end, the same zones are sts 140-130, 129-123, 122-112, 111-105, 104-94, and 93-71.
Stitch-to-stitch logic: Eleven strap sts measure 3.1 in (7.9 cm). Line up strap st 1 with the turning ridge (Rnd 11) and strap st 11 with the rim sl sts (Rnd 19), then ease the 3.25 in (8.3 cm) basket wall to fit. Each 7-st gap measures 2.0 in (5.1 cm).
Using Color A, whipstitch both long edges of the strap to the side fold of each basket, one stitch per strap st. That is 11 whipstitches per edge and 22 per basket side, for 132 in total.
Tension: Pull each whipstitch snug but not tight. The strap should lie flat with no puckers.
Size checkpoint: Strap sts 1-47 should measure 13.4 in (34.0 cm), from the base of the bottom basket to the rim of the top basket.
Fold the strap center (sts 70-71) over the ring. Tack sts 68 and 73 together just below the ring so the ring can’t slide.
Border: Basket Rim
Work the rim on each basket after Rnd 16, before joining.
Border gauge: 14 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm). The 72 rim sts measure 20.5 in (52.1 cm) around.
Rnd 17 (conversion): Join Color B in the first sc of Rnd 16. Ch 1, hdc in same st, sc in next 5 dc, [hdc in next sc, sc in next 5 dc] 11 times, join. (72 worked 1-per-st + 0 added = 72: 12 hdc + 60 sc)
Rnd 18: Ch 1, sc in each st, join. (72 sts)
Rnd 19: Sl st loosely in each st around. (72 sts) Fasten off.
Why the math works: Rnd 10 ends with 72 sts, and every round after it keeps 72. Each shell repeat is 6 sts (5 dc + 1 sc), and 12 repeats × 6 = 72. Rnd 17 turns each repeat into 5 sc + 1 hdc, with no increases. The hdc fills the low point between shells, so the rim comes out level. Because the count never changes, the wall stays straight, and the rim neither flares nor pulls in.
Final Blocking
- Mist the holder lightly with water.
- Put a roll wrapped in a towel inside each basket to shape the oval.
- Flatten the back of each basket slightly so it hangs flush with the wall.
- Pin the flower petals open and steam them from above without touching.
- Hang the holder from the ring so the strap straightens under the baskets’ weight.
- Let it dry completely, about 24 hours.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Each base measures 5 x 6.75 in (12.7 x 17.1 cm).
- Every round from Rnd 10 to Rnd 19 has 72 sts.
- Each basket has 12 shells per shell round.
- Each rim is level and 0.5 in (1.3 cm) deep.
- Each gap between baskets is 2.0 in (5.1 cm).
- Both strap sides line up at the same height.
- The flowers are centered and the leaves match.
- All ends are woven in securely.
Troubleshooting
- Base ruffles: Your tension is loose, or the increases drifted. Recount each round and go down a hook size.
- Base cups early: Your tension is too tight. Go up a hook size.
- Basket leans: The strap edges are sewn unevenly. Re-sew so both sides match stitch for stitch.
- Wavy rim: You worked sc instead of hdc at the low points in Rnd 17. Redo that round.
- Petals curl: Steam-block them flat and pin until dry.
- Strap stretches: Use cotton, and tack the strap to the ring firmly.
Care
Hand wash in cool water and lay flat or hang to dry. Reshape the baskets around a roll while damp.
Final Notes
Each measurement depends on the one before it:
1. Gauge of 14 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm)
2. A 72-st base measuring 5 x 6.75 in (12.7 x 17.1 cm)
3. Sides 2.75 in (7.0 cm) tall before the rim
4. A 0.5 in (1.3 cm) rim, giving baskets 3.25 in (8.3 cm) tall
5. A 140-st strap, 40 in (101.6 cm) long
6. A finished holder 21 in (53.3 cm) long
If you check each step before moving on, the finished holder will hang straight.
Happy crocheting!