Three crocheted purple and cream stacking cups with wooden ring handle, connected by chains on a light wooden surface.

Plum Parlor Hanging Toilet Paper Holder Crochet Pattern

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The Plum Parlor Hanging Toilet Paper Holder stacks three round baskets, one above the other, and hangs them from a wooden ring. Each basket holds one standard roll, and the top of the roll shows just above a soft cream rim. Narrow plum straps link the baskets. A tapered cream-and-plum tab at the top wraps around the ring.

The colorway is deep plum and warm cream. The walls are bands of staggered 3-dc clusters, so the cream bobbles sit between plum ones in a checkerboard pattern. The bases are solid plum single crochet, and the rims are cream with a corded reverse single crochet edge.

The pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished holder is about 5.75 in (14.6 cm) wide and 21 in (53.3 cm) long from the bottom of the lowest basket to the top of the ring fold. Each basket is 5.75 in (14.6 cm) across and 4.25 in (10.8 cm) tall.

To make it, you crochet three baskets in joined rounds, starting with a flat base, then the cluster walls, then the rim. You also make four short straps and one hanger tab, then sew everything together. Firm cotton keeps the baskets upright.

Finished Size and Construction

  • Finished size: 5.75 in (14.6 cm) wide x 21 in (53.3 cm) long
  • Skill level: Easy-intermediate
  • Terminology: US crochet terms
  • Yarn weight: Worsted (#4) cotton
  • Hook: 4.5 mm (US 7)
  • Number of pieces: 8 (3 baskets, 4 straps, 1 hanger tab)
  • Layout: 1 column of 3 baskets, hanger tab on top
  • Piece size: each basket is 5.75 in (14.6 cm) across x 4.25 in (10.8 cm) tall; each strap is 1.5 in (3.8 cm) x 4 in (10.2 cm)
  • Size before border: each basket wall is 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall after Round 20
  • Border depth: the cream rim adds 0.75 in (1.9 cm)

Materials

Use a smooth, firm, 100% cotton or cotton-blend worsted yarn. Cotton holds its shape, can be washed, and doesn’t get fuzzy in a humid bathroom. Avoid soft acrylic, because the baskets will slump.

  • Plum (Color A): 200 g, about 340 m (372 yd)
  • Cream (Color B): 120 g, about 204 m (223 yd)

Both quantities include a margin of about 15% for gauge differences and a test swatch.

Tools:
– 4.5 mm (US 7) crochet hook
– One wooden ring, 2.5 in (6.4 cm) outer diameter
– 4 locking stitch markers
– Tapestry needle
– Scissors
– Measuring tape
– Spray bottle and a rolled towel for blocking

Abbreviations (US Terms)

  • ch: chain
  • sl st: slip stitch
  • sc: single crochet
  • sc2tog: single crochet 2 together
  • dc: double crochet
  • BLO: back loop only
  • sk: skip
  • sp: space
  • st(s): stitch(es)
  • rev sc: reverse single crochet (crab stitch)
  • RS: right side

Special stitches

  • 3-dc cluster (cl): Yarn over, insert hook in the stitch or space, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops. Repeat from * to * 2 more times (4 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops.
  • Beginning cluster (beg cl): Ch 2. Then work a 2-dc cluster in the same place, the same way as a 3-dc cluster but with only 2 repeats (3 loops on hook before the final pull-through).

Gauge and Checkpoints

Gauge: 16 sc x 16 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm) in single crochet, worked firmly.

Cluster gauge: 2 repeats of (cl, ch 1) = 1 in (2.5 cm), and each cluster round is 0.5 in (1.3 cm) tall.

Make one complete basket before starting the others. These are your checkpoints:

  • After Round 6 (36 sts): the base is about 2.9 in (7.4 cm) across.
  • After Round 12 (72 sts): the base is 5.75 in (14.6 cm) across, with a circumference of 18 in (45.7 cm).
  • After Round 20: the wall is 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall, measured from the turning ridge.
  • After Round 23: the basket is 4.25 in (10.8 cm) tall, and a roll drops in with a little room to spare.

If your base is too big, go down half a hook size. If it’s too small, or cups up, go up half a size. Don’t add or skip increase rounds. All the wall counts depend on exactly 72 stitches.

Close-up of cream and burgundy crocheted fabric showing detailed stitch texture in alternating color blocks.

Basket (make 3)

Join every round with a sl st to the first stitch. Ch 1 at the start of a round does not count as a stitch.

Base (Color A, plum)

  • Round 1: Make a magic ring. Ch 1, work 6 sc in the ring and join. (6 sts)
  • Round 2: Ch 1, work 2 sc in each st and join. (12)
  • Round 3: Ch 1, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, repeat 6 times, join. (18)
  • Round 4: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st x 6, join. (24)
  • Round 5: Ch 1, sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st x 6, join. (30)
  • Round 6: Ch 1, sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st x 6, join. (36)
  • Round 7: Ch 1, sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st x 6, join. (42)
  • Round 8: Ch 1, sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st x 6, join. (48)
  • Round 9: Ch 1, sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st x 6, join. (54)
  • Round 10: Ch 1, sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st x 6, join. (60)
  • Round 11: Ch 1, sc in next 9 sts, 2 sc in next st x 6, join. (66)
  • Round 12: Ch 1, sc in next 10 sts, 2 sc in next st x 6, join. (72)

To keep the base round instead of hexagonal, shift where the increase falls in each round. For example, in Round 8 work 3 sc, 2 sc in the next st, then 3 sc.

Turning the wall (Color A)

  • Round 13: Ch 1, sc BLO in each st, join. (72) This makes the crisp edge between the base and the wall.
  • Round 14: Ch 1, sc in each st, join. (72) Change to Color B on the final pull-through of the join. Don’t cut Color A. Carry it up the inside of the wall at each join.

Cluster wall

  • Round 15 (Color B, cream): Beg cl in the first st, ch 1, sk next st. Cl in next st, ch 1, sk next st, repeat 35 times. Join to the top of the beg cl, changing to Color A. (36 cl + 36 ch-1 sps = 72)
  • Round 16 (Color A): Sl st into the next ch-1 sp. Beg cl in the same sp, ch 1, cl in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, repeat 35 times. Join, changing to Color B. (36 cl + 36 ch-1 sps = 72)
  • Round 17 (Color B): Work as Round 16, changing to Color A at the join. (72)
  • Round 18 (Color A): Work as Round 16, changing to Color B. (72)
  • Round 19 (Color B): Work as Round 16, changing to Color A. (72)
  • Round 20 (Color A): Work as Round 16, changing to Color B. (72) Cut Color A, leaving an 8 in (20.3 cm) tail.

Because each round places its clusters in the chain spaces of the round below, every cluster sits between two clusters of the other color. That gives the staggered checkerboard look. The rim rounds come next, in the Border section.

Strap (make 4)

With Color A, ch 7.

  • Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (6 sts)
  • Rows 2–16: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. (6)

Fasten off and leave an 18 in (45.7 cm) tail for sewing. The strap measures 1.5 in (3.8 cm) x 4 in (10.2 cm).

Hanger Tab (make 1)

Cream panel (Color B)

Ch 17.

  • Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (16)
  • Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc across. (16)
  • Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in next 12 sts, sc2tog. (14)
  • Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc across. (14)
  • Row 5: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 10, sc2tog. (12)
  • Row 6: Sc across. (12)
  • Row 7: Sc2tog, sc 8, sc2tog. (10)
  • Row 8: Sc across. (10)
  • Row 9: Sc2tog, sc 6, sc2tog. (8)
  • Row 10: Sc across. (8)
  • Row 11: Sc2tog, sc 4, sc2tog. (6)
  • Row 12: Sc across. (6)

Fasten off. The panel is 4 in (10.2 cm) wide at the bottom, 1.5 in (3.8 cm) wide at the top, and 3 in (7.6 cm) tall.

Plum edging (Color A)

With the RS facing, join Color A at the bottom right corner. Work 12 sc up the right edge (1 per row end), then sc in each of the 6 top sts, then 12 sc down the left edge. (12 + 6 + 12 = 30 sc) Fasten off.

The edging adds about 0.25 in (0.6 cm) on each side, so the bottom of the tab is now 4.5 in (11.4 cm) wide.

Ring strip (Color A)

  • Row 1: With the RS facing, join Color A in the last sc of the right-edge edging (the top corner). Sc in that st, sc in each of the next 6 top sts, then sc in the first sc of the left-edge edging. (1 + 6 + 1 = 8)
  • Rows 2–16: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. (8)

Fasten off and leave a 16 in (40.6 cm) tail. The strip is 2 in (5.1 cm) wide x 4 in (10.2 cm) long.

Make All Pieces

Piece Qty Color A Color B
Basket 3 base, Rounds 16/18/20 Rounds 15/17/19, rim
Strap 4 all –
Hanger tab 1 edging, ring strip panel

Layout, top to bottom:

      [ RING ]
     [HANGER TAB]
   [  BASKET 1  ]
    |S|      |S|
   [  BASKET 2  ]
    |S|      |S|
   [  BASKET 3  ]

Joining

Use whipstitch with the plum tails. Work stitch to stitch, catching both loops of the basket stitch and one full stitch or row end on the strap.

Marking the baskets. On Round 22 of each basket, mark st 1 as A (left side) and st 37 as B (right side). Sts 1–36 are the front, and sts 37–72 are the back. Mark the same positions on Round 14.

Straps. Each strap overlaps 1 in (2.5 cm), or 4 rows, at each end. That leaves 2 in (5.1 cm) showing between baskets.

  • Top of each strap: Center the strap on marker A or B of the upper basket’s Round 14, so it covers 6 sts (sts 70–3 at A, or sts 34–39 at B). Fold the top 2 rows under the base and sew them to Rounds 11–12. Sew the next 2 rows to Rounds 13–14.
  • Bottom of each strap: Sew the last 4 rows to the outside of the lower basket’s rim, over the same 6 stitch positions.

Sew 6 strap stitches to 6 basket stitches. Don’t add or skip any.

Hanger tab. Sew the bottom 3 rows of the tab, 0.75 in (1.9 cm), to the outside back of Basket 1’s rim, centered over sts 46–63. Those 18 rim stitches measure 4.5 in (11.4 cm), which matches the tab’s 4.5 in (11.4 cm) width.

Ring. Slip the ring over the ring strip. Fold the strip back by 2 in (5.1 cm) and sew its last row to the back of the panel, just below the plum edging.

Tension. Sew snugly but don’t pucker the fabric. Stitches that are too loose let the baskets tilt forward.

Size checkpoint. Lay the joined piece flat. It should be 21 in (53.3 cm) long with gaps of 2 in (5.1 cm) between baskets.

Border (Basket Rim)

Border gauge: 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm), so each rim round is 72 sts = 18 in (45.7 cm). Each half between marker A and marker B has 36 sts.

  • Round 21 (Color B): Ch 1. Sc in the top of each cluster and in each ch-1 sp. This round converts the clusters to sc: 36 (1 per cluster) + 36 (1 per ch-1 sp) = 72 sc. Join. (Front half: 36, back half: 36)
  • Round 22: Ch 1, sc in each st, join. (72; front 36, back 36) Place markers A and B in this round.
  • Round 23: Ch 1, rev sc in each st, join. (72) Fasten off and weave in ends.

Why the math works: The base ends at 72 sts, each cluster round is 72 sts (36 + 36), and the rim stays at 72. Because the count never changes, the walls go straight up and the rim doesn’t flare or pull in. The rim adds 0.75 in (1.9 cm), taking the wall from 3.5 in (8.9 cm) to 4.25 in (10.8 cm).

Final Blocking

  1. Weave in all ends, running each tail through stitches of the same color.
  2. Put a toilet roll, or a towel rolled to the same size, into each basket.
  3. Mist the baskets until they’re damp but not wet.
  4. Shape each rim into a true circle 5.75 in (14.6 cm) across, and push the base ridge out with your fingers.
  5. Pin the straps and hanger tab flat. Check that the gaps between baskets are 2 in (5.1 cm).
  6. Let everything dry for 24 hours before hanging.

Final Quality-Control Checklist

  • Every basket has 72 sts on Rounds 12, 13, 14, 21, and 22.
  • Every cluster round has 36 clusters.
  • The cream and plum clusters alternate cleanly, with no doubled color in any round.
  • All three baskets are the same height, 4.25 in (10.8 cm).
  • The straps line up vertically on the left and right sides.
  • The hanger tab is centered on the back, and the ring is sewn securely.
  • The holder hangs straight and doesn’t twist.

Troubleshooting

  • Base cups up: Your tension is too tight, or you’ve missed an increase. Count the round and loosen up.
  • Base ruffles: You have extra stitches. Recount and rework the round.
  • Walls flare outward: Your clusters are too loose. Go down half a hook size for the wall only.
  • The carried yarn shows: Carry it on the wrong side and catch it under the beginning cluster.
  • Basket tilts forward: The strap seams are loose. Re-sew through both loops.
  • Roll doesn’t fit: Check the base gauge. Most rolls need at least 4.5 in (11.4 cm) of inside space.

Care

Hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry, reshaping the baskets around a rolled towel. Don’t tumble dry, because heat can shrink cotton unevenly.

Purple and cream striped crochet toilet paper holder with three scalloped compartments on a bathroom wall beside potted plants.

Final Notes

Here’s the measurement chain:

  • Gauge is 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm).
  • The base ends at 72 sts, which is 18 in (45.7 cm) around and 5.75 in (14.6 cm) across.
  • The walls reach 3.5 in (8.9 cm), and the rim brings each basket to 4.25 in (10.8 cm).
  • Three baskets with two gaps of 2 in (5.1 cm) and the hanger tab make the full 21 in (53.3 cm) length.

If you check each number as you go, all three baskets will match. Happy crocheting!

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