The Sage Meadow holder is a stack of three round baskets, one above the other. Each basket holds one standard toilet paper roll. The holder hangs from a natural wooden ring, which frees up floor and shelf space in a small bathroom.
Each basket has a solid sage green base and lower body, an openwork lattice band with raised leaf pairs, and a cream scalloped rim. Three cream five-petal flowers sit across the front of each basket: a large one in the center and a small one on each side. The style is soft, botanical, and cottage-like.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished holder is about 25 in (63.5 cm) tall from the top of the ring to the bottom of the lowest basket. Each basket is about 6 in (15.2 cm) across at its widest point and 5.25 in (13.3 cm) tall.
You’ll crochet three baskets in joined rounds, work the cream rim, and sew on the flowers. Short green straps join the baskets at the sides, and a longer strap loops over the wooden ring.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: about 25 in (63.5 cm) tall overall and 6 in (15.2 cm) wide
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: #4 worsted, cotton or cotton blend
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 3 baskets, 4 connector straps, 1 hanging strap, 3 large flowers, 6 small flowers (17 pieces total)
- Layout: 1 column × 3 baskets, stacked vertically
- Piece size (one basket): 5.5 in (14.0 cm) base, 6 in (15.2 cm) at widest, 5.25 in (13.3 cm) tall
- Size before border (rim): 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall
- Border (rim) depth: 0.75 in (1.9 cm)
- Gap between baskets: 1.5 in (3.8 cm)
Materials
Choose a smooth worsted cotton or cotton-acrylic blend. Cotton holds the basket shape well, shows the lattice clearly, and handles bathroom humidity. Avoid fuzzy yarns, because they blur the leaf clusters.
- Color A, sage green: 260 g, about 440 m (481 yd)
- Color B, cream: 60 g, about 100 m (109 yd)
These amounts include a margin of about 10 to 15 percent for your gauge swatch and small differences in tension.
Tools:
- 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- 3 in (7.6 cm) wooden ring
- Tapestry needle
- 8 locking stitch markers
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Rust-proof pins and a blocking mat
- A toilet paper roll for shaping
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- tr – treble crochet
- sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
- inc – 2 sc in the same stitch
- BLO – back loop only
- MR – magic ring
- sk – skip
- sp – space
- st(s) – stitch(es)
Special stitch – Leaf Pair (LP): To make one 3-tr cluster, work [yarn over twice, insert hook in the stitch, pull up a loop, (yarn over, pull through 2 loops) twice] 3 times in the same stitch. You’ll have 4 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops. Ch 3, then make a second 3-tr cluster in the same stitch. The two clusters lean apart in a V, like two leaves on one stem.
Join every round with a sl st to the first st. The ch 1 at the start of a round doesn’t count as a stitch.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 14 sc × 16 rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm), in sc worked in rounds.
Test one piece first. Make the base of Basket 1 and measure it before you start the full set.
- After Rnd 5 (30 sts): about 2.75 in (7.0 cm) across
- After Rnd 10 (60 sts): 5.5 in (14.0 cm) across
- After Rnd 15: side wall about 1.25 in (3.2 cm) tall
- After Rnd 19: side wall about 4 in (10.2 cm) tall
- After Rnd 21: side wall about 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall; the opening is 5.5 in (14.0 cm) across when held round
- After Rnd 23: basket 5.25 in (13.3 cm) tall
If your base is too big, switch to a 4.5 mm hook. If it’s too small, try a 5.5 mm hook. A base under 5 in (12.7 cm) won’t fit a standard roll, which is about 4.5 in (11.4 cm) across.
Basket (Make 3)
Base
With Color A:
Rnd 1: In MR, ch 1, 6 sc; join. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, inc in each st; join. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, (sc 1, inc) 6 times; join. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, (sc 2, inc) 6 times; join. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, (sc 3, inc) 6 times; join. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, (sc 4, inc) 6 times; join. (36 sts)
Rnd 7: Ch 1, (sc 5, inc) 6 times; join. (42 sts)
Rnd 8: Ch 1, (sc 6, inc) 6 times; join. (48 sts)
Rnd 9: Ch 1, (sc 7, inc) 6 times; join. (54 sts)
Rnd 10: Ch 1, (sc 8, inc) 6 times; join. (60 sts)
The base should lie flat and measure 5.5 in (14.0 cm) across.
Lower Body
Rnd 11: Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st; join. (60 sts) This makes a ridge where the base turns up into the wall.
Rnd 12: Ch 1, sc in each st; join. (60 sts)
Rnd 13: Ch 1, (sc 9, inc) 6 times; join. (66 sts)
Rnds 14–15: Ch 1, sc in each st; join. (66 sts)
The small increase in Rnd 13 gives the basket its rounded belly.
Leaf Lattice Band
Each repeat in the band uses 11 sts, so 66 ÷ 11 = 6 repeats.
Rnd 16: Ch 1, [sc in next st, ch 4, sk 4 sts, LP in next st, ch 4, sk 4 sts, sc in next st] 6 times; join to first sc. (6 LP, 12 sc, 12 ch-4 sps)
Each repeat uses 1 + 4 + 1 + 4 + 1 = 11 sts.
Rnd 17: Ch 1, sc in same st as join, [ch 6, sc in ch-3 sp of next LP, ch 6, sk next sc, sc in next sc] 5 times, ch 6, sc in ch-3 sp of next LP, ch 6, sk last sc; join to first sc. (12 sc, 12 ch-6 loops)
The ch-6 loops form the diagonal lines of the diamond lattice.
Rnd 18: Sl st in each of next 6 ch and in next sc (the sc above an LP). Ch 1, sc in same sc, [ch 4, LP in next sc, ch 4, sc in next sc] 5 times, ch 4, LP in next sc, ch 4; join to first sc. (6 LP, 6 sc, 12 ch-4 sps)
This second tier of leaves sits between the leaves of the first tier.
Rnd 19 (conversion round): Ch 1, [sc in next sc, 4 sc in next ch-4 sp, 2 sc in ch-3 sp of next LP, 4 sc in next ch-4 sp] 6 times; join. (66 sts)
Count: 6 × (1 sc in sc + 4 + 2 + 4) = 66. The cluster tips stay raised as leaf points.
Upper Body
Rnd 20: Ch 1, sc in each st; join. (66 sts)
Rnd 21: Ch 1, (sc 9, sc2tog) 6 times; join. (60 sts) Switch to Color B on the last yarn over of the join, then fasten off Color A.
The decrease pulls the opening back in so the basket hugs the roll.
Scalloped Rim (Border)
Rim gauge: each scallop covers 6 sts, about 1.7 in (4.3 cm).
Rnd 22: With Color B, ch 1, sc in each st; join. (60 sts: 30 sts on the front half and 30 on the back half)
Rnd 23: Ch 1, sc in first st, [sk 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, sk 2 sts, sc in next st] 9 times, sk 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, sk 2 sts; join to first sc. (10 scallops: 10 sc + 50 dc; 5 scallops per half)
Why the math works: 60 ÷ 6 = 10 scallops, with no stitches left over. When you fold the basket flat, each half has exactly 30 sts and 5 scallops, so the rim matches front and back. Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Flowers
Large Flower (Make 3)
With Color B:
Rnd 1: In MR, ch 1, 10 sc; join. (10 sts)
Rnd 2: [(Hdc, 3 dc, hdc) in next st, sl st in next st] 5 times; join. (5 petals)
Leave a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail. Use the tail to work 3 French knots in the center for texture. The finished flower is about 1.75 in (4.4 cm) across.
Small Flower (Make 6)
With Color B:
Rnd 1: In MR, ch 1, 5 sc; join. (5 sts)
Rnd 2: [(Sl st, ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st) in next st] 5 times; join. (5 petals)
Work 1 French knot in the center. The finished flower is about 1.25 in (3.2 cm) across.
Straps
Connector Strap (Make 4)
With Color A, ch 5.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (4 sts)
Rows 2–16: Ch 1, sc in each st, turn. (4 sts)
Fasten off. The strap is about 1.1 in (2.8 cm) wide and 4 in (10.2 cm) long.
Hanging Strap (Make 1)
With Color A, ch 5.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (4 sts)
Rows 2–48: Ch 1, sc in each st, turn. (4 sts)
Fasten off. The strap is about 1.1 in (2.8 cm) wide and 12 in (30.5 cm) long.
Make All Pieces
- Color A: 3 basket bodies, 4 connector straps, 1 hanging strap
- Color B: 3 rims (worked onto the baskets), 3 large flowers, 6 small flowers
Layout (top to bottom):
[ wooden ring ]
/ \
[ hanging strap legs ]
| Basket 1 (top) |
|| connectors 1.5 in ||
| Basket 2 (middle) |
|| connectors 1.5 in ||
| Basket 3 (bottom) |
Flower placement: Fold each basket flat with the round joins at the center back. Sew the large flower at the front center, over Rnds 13–15. Sew a small flower about 1.75 in (4.4 cm) to each side of it, slightly higher, so the three flowers line up along the bottom edge of the leaf band.
Joining
Method: Whipstitch with Color A and a tapestry needle.
Finding the sides: Fold a basket flat with the flowers centered on the front. The two folds are the sides. At the rim, center each strap over 4 sts on a fold. That leaves 26 sts between the straps on each half: 4 + 26 + 4 + 26 = 60.
How the connectors work: Each 16-row connector splits into 5 rows + 6 rows + 5 rows.
- Rows 1–5 (1.25 in / 3.2 cm) lie flat on the outside of the upper basket, over Rnds 11–15 at the side fold. Row gauge matches round gauge, so sew one strap row-end to each basket round.
- Rows 6–11 (1.5 in / 3.8 cm) stay free. This makes the visible gap between baskets.
- Rows 12–16 (1.25 in / 3.2 cm) lie flat on the outside of the lower basket at the side fold. Row 16 sits even with the top of Rnd 22, just under the scallops.
Join Basket 1 to Basket 2 first, then Basket 2 to Basket 3.
Hanging strap: Pass the strap through the wooden ring and center it. Sew the last 6 rows at each end (1.5 in / 3.8 cm) to the outside of Basket 1 at its side folds, with the end row even with the top of Rnd 22. The 9 in (22.9 cm) left free folds over the ring into two legs of about 4.5 in (11.4 cm) each.
Tension: Sew firmly, but don’t pull so tight that the basket wall puckers. Catch only the outer loops of the basket so the stitches don’t show inside.
Size checkpoint: Hang the holder. It should measure about 25 in (63.5 cm) from the top of the ring to the bottom, with even 1.5 in (3.8 cm) gaps between the baskets.
Final Blocking
- Spray each basket lightly with water until it’s damp but not soaked.
- Put a toilet paper roll in each basket to set the round shape.
- Ease the leaf clusters outward with your fingers so each LP opens into a clear V.
- Pin the scallops so all 10 on each basket stand evenly.
- Lay the straps flat and pin them straight.
- If the flower petals curl, pin them flat on the mat.
- Let everything dry completely, then remove the rolls and pins.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Each base measures 5.5 in (14.0 cm) and sits flat.
- Each basket has 6 leaf pairs in the lower tier and 6 in the upper tier.
- Each rim has exactly 10 scallops, 5 per half.
- Each basket has 1 large and 2 small flowers on the front.
- The straps are centered on the side folds.
- The gaps between baskets are an even 1.5 in (3.8 cm).
- All ends are woven in securely.
- The holder hangs straight, without twisting.
Troubleshooting
The base ruffles: You may have extra stitches or loose tension. Recount each round and try a smaller hook.
The base cups upward: Your tension is too tight. Try a larger hook.
The lattice looks crowded: Make sure you skipped 4 sts on each side of every LP in Rnd 16.
The Rnd 19 count is off: Make sure you worked 2 sc, not 3, in each LP ch-3 sp.
The scallops don’t come out even: Rnd 22 must have exactly 60 sts.
The baskets tilt: One strap is sewn higher than the other. Measure the 5-row overlap on each side again.
The roll doesn’t fit: The opening is smaller than 5.5 in (14.0 cm). Remake the basket with a larger hook.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap. Remove the wooden ring first, and lay the baskets flat to dry with a roll inside each one.
Final Notes
Here’s how the measurements build. A 5.5 in (14.0 cm) base of 60 sts grows to 66 sts and 6 in (15.2 cm) at the belly. It carries the 6-repeat leaf lattice, then decreases back to 60 sts for a 10-scallop rim. Three 5.25 in (13.3 cm) baskets, two 1.5 in (3.8 cm) gaps, and the strap loop add up to about 25 in (63.5 cm) overall. Check your work at each stage, and the finished holder will hang straight and hold its rolls neatly.
Happy crocheting!