The Bluebell Fan holder keeps three spare rolls in a column of crochet baskets that hangs from a wooden ring. Each pocket has a solid base, a band of open lacy fans, and a navy scalloped rim. A small flower sits on the front of each pocket.
The colors are periwinkle for the body, navy for the rims, light blue for the flowers, cream for the bobble centers, and olive green for the leaves. Together they look fresh and slightly vintage.
The pattern uses US terms. The finished holder is 6.5 in (16.5 cm) wide at the panel and 7.5 in (19.1 cm) wide at each pocket rim. It is 16.75 in (42.5 cm) tall without the ring and about 19.75 in (50.2 cm) tall with it.
You make one back panel with built-in straps, three pockets, three flowers, and six leaves. Each pocket starts as a flat base and is then worked in the round. Then you sew the pockets to the panel, add the rims, edge the panel, and attach the ring.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 6.5 in × 16.75 in (16.5 cm × 42.5 cm), plus a 3 in (7.6 cm) ring
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 13 (1 panel, 3 pockets, 3 flowers, 6 leaves)
- Layout: 3 pockets in one column, 1 in (2.5 cm) apart
- Pocket size: base 6 in × 4 in (15.2 cm × 10.2 cm), 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall
- Size before border: pocket 2.75 in (7.0 cm) tall; panel body 6 in × 13 in (15.2 cm × 33.0 cm)
- Border depth: pocket rim 0.75 in (1.9 cm); panel edging 0.25 in (0.6 cm)
Materials
Use a smooth worsted cotton or cotton-acrylic blend, about 183 m per 100 g. Cotton holds the basket shape well and handles bathroom humidity.
- Periwinkle (MC): 170 g / 311 m
- Navy (A): 30 g / 55 m
- Light blue (B): 15 g / 27 m
- Olive green (C): 10 g / 18 m
- Cream (D): 5 g / 9 m
These quantities include a margin of about 15%.
Tools:
– 5.0 mm (H-8) hook
– 3 in (7.6 cm) wooden ring
– Tapestry needle
– Stitch markers
– Rust-proof pins and a blocking mat
– Optional: 3 pieces of plastic canvas, each 5.75 in × 3.75 in (14.6 cm × 9.5 cm), to stiffen the bases
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- BLO: back loop only
- sk: skip
- sp: space
- st(s): stitch(es)
- MR: magic ring
- rep: repeat
Bobble: (Yarn over, insert hook in st, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops) 3 times in the same st. Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops.
Fan: (Dc, ch 1) 4 times in the same st, then dc once more in that st. This gives 5 dc and 4 ch-1 sps.
Gauge and Checkpoints
- Sc: 16 sts × 18 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm)
- Dc: 16 sts × 8 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm)
Make one complete pocket and check it before you start the panel. The panel width is designed to match the pocket base.
Checkpoints:
– Base after Row 18: 6 in × 4 in (15.2 cm × 10.2 cm)
– Walls after Rnd 4: 1.25 in (3.2 cm) tall
– Walls after Rnd 7: 2.75 in (7.0 cm) tall
– Pocket after the rim: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall
– Panel after Row 26: 6 in × 13 in (15.2 cm × 33.0 cm)
If the base is wider than 6.25 in (15.9 cm), go down half a hook size. If it is narrower than 5.75 in (14.6 cm), go up half a size. Don’t change stitch counts, because the fan repeats depend on them.
Pocket (Make 3)
Base
With MC, ch 25.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (24 sc)
Rows 2–18: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (24 sc)
Don’t fasten off. Row 18 is the front edge and the foundation chain is the back edge.
Walls
Rnd 1: Ch 1. Without turning, work around the base:
– Sc in each of the 24 sts across the front.
– Along the short side, sc in each row-end but skip the 6th and 12th row-ends. (16 sc)
– Sc in each of the 24 foundation chains.
– Work the second short side the same way. (16 sc)
– Join. (80 sc: 24 + 16 + 24 + 16)
Mark the first st. Every round starts at this corner.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, join. (80 sc) This makes the fold line where the walls turn up.
Rnds 3–4: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each st around, join. (80 dc)
Checkpoint: The walls should be 1.25 in (3.2 cm) tall.
Rnd 5 (fan round): Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 2, sk 3 sts, fan in next st, ch 2, sk 3 sts. Sc in next st, ch 2, sk 3 sts, fan in next st, ch 2, sk 3 sts; rep from * 8 more times. Join. (10 fans, 10 sc)*
Each repeat uses 8 sts, so the front and back each get 3 fans and each short side gets 2. The sc land on the corners and every fan is centered on its wall.
Rnd 6 (widening round): Sl st in the next 2 ch and in the first dc of the fan. Ch 3 (counts as dc). (Ch 2, dc in next dc) 4 times, skipping the ch-1 sps. Ch 1, sc in next sc, ch 1, dc in first dc of next fan; rep from * around. On the last repeat, end with “ch 1, sc in next sc, ch 1,” then join. (50 dc, 10 sc, 40 ch-2 sps)*
Rnd 7 (closing round): Ch 3 (counts as dc). (Dc in next ch-2 sp, dc in next dc) 4 times. Sk the ch-1 sp, the sc, and the next ch-1 sp, then dc in the first dc of the next fan; rep from * around, leaving out the final dc. Join. (90 dc: 9 per fan)*
Per wall: front 27, side 18, back 27, side 18.
Skipping the sc between fans leaves a small lace hole. Because the round goes from 80 to 90 sts, the top of the pocket flares slightly.
Checkpoint: The walls should be 2.75 in (7.0 cm) tall. Fasten off and leave a 24 in (61.0 cm) tail for sewing.
Back Panel with Straps (Make 1)
With MC, ch 26.
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (24 dc, counting the skipped ch-3)
Rows 2–26: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each st across, turn. (24 dc)
Checkpoint: The panel should measure 6 in × 13 in (15.2 cm × 33.0 cm).
First strap (Rows 27–36): Ch 3, dc in next 3 sts, turn. Work 9 more rows of 4 dc. Fasten off.
Second strap: Skip the 16 center sts of Row 26. Join MC in the 21st st and work 10 rows over the last 4 sts. (4 dc)
Each strap is 5 in (12.7 cm) long.
Flower (Make 3)
Rnd 1: With D, MR, ch 1, 5 sc in ring, join. (5 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 2 (doesn’t count), bobble in each st around, join. Fasten off D. (5 bobbles)
The bobbles puff toward the back of the round, so use that side as the right side.
Rnd 3: Join B in any bobble top. Ch 1, 2 sc in each bobble, join. (10 sc)
Rnd 4: Ch 1. *Sc in next st, ch 3, sk next st; rep from * 4 more times. Join. (5 sc, 5 ch-3 loops)
Rnd 5: In the next ch-3 loop work (sc, hdc, 4 dc, hdc, sc), then sl st in the next sc; rep from * around. (5 petals of 8 sts)*
Fasten off and leave a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail. The flower is about 2.5 in (6.4 cm) across.
Leaf (Make 6)
With C, ch 9.
First side: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next 2 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, 3 sc in last ch.
Second side: Working along the other side of the chain: sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next 2 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in the same ch as the first sl st.
Point: Ch 2 and sl st in the same ch.
Fasten off and leave an 8 in (20.3 cm) tail. The leaf is about 2 in (5.1 cm) long.
Make All Pieces
| Piece | Qty | Colors |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | MC | |
| Back panel with straps | 1 | MC |
| Flower | 3 | D, B |
| Leaf | 6 | C |
Navy (A) is used only for the rims, which you add after joining.
Layout (top to bottom):
[ wooden ring ]
/ \
strap strap Rows 27–36
[ Pocket 3: rows 20–26 ]
[ gap: rows 18–19 ]
[ Pocket 2: rows 11–17 ]
[ gap: rows 9–10 ]
[ Pocket 1: rows 2–8 ]
[ bottom tab: row 1 ]
Joining
Method: Whipstitch with the MC tail. Go through both loops of the pocket stitch and around the post of the panel stitch.
Stitch-to-stitch logic: Each pocket’s back base edge has 24 sts (the Rnd 1 sts over the foundation chain). Each panel row also has 24 dc, so you sew 1 pocket stitch to 1 panel stitch.
- Lay the panel right side up with Row 1 at the bottom.
- Sew Pocket 1’s back edge to the top of Row 1, so its back wall covers Rows 2–8.
- Sew Pocket 2 to the top of Row 10.
- Sew Pocket 3 to the top of Row 19.
- Whipstitch each back corner of each pocket to the panel, up to Rnd 7. That is 2.75 in (7.0 cm) per corner.
- Tack the center of each back wall to the panel at the Rnd 4 level.
Tension: Keep the stitches snug but not tight. If they pucker, the panel will bow forward under the weight of the rolls.
Size checkpoint: The gaps between pockets should measure 1 in (2.5 cm), and the bottom tab should measure 0.5 in (1.3 cm).
Appliqués: Sew two leaves to each pocket front at the Rnd 5 level, with their rounded ends meeting at the center. Sew the flower on top, stitching around its Rnd 4 so the petals stay loose.
Border
Border gauge: 4 sc per 1 in (2.5 cm), which matches the main gauge.
Part A: Pocket Rims
Rnd 8 (conversion round): Join A in the first st of Rnd 7. Ch 1. *Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st (the fan center), sc in next 4 sts; rep from * 9 more times. Join.
Count: 90 + 10 = 100 sc (90 sts worked one in each stitch, plus 10 increases). That is front 30, side 20, back 30, side 20.
Rnd 9 (scallop round): Ch 1. *Sc in next st, hdc in next st, 3 dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next st; rep from * 19 more times. Join and fasten off.
Count: 20 scallops, 140 sts. The front and back each have 6 scallops (42 sts), and each side has 4 scallops (28 sts).
Why the math works: Each scallop uses 5 sts. The wall counts of 30 and 20 both divide by 5, so every wall ends cleanly between scallops and each fan sits under 2 scallops. The 0.75 in (1.9 cm) rim brings the pocket to 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall.
Tack each back rim corner to the panel.
Part B: Panel Edging
Row 1: With MC, join at the top of the left strap’s outer edge.
– Work 2 sc in each row-end down all 36 rows. (72 sc)
– Work 3 sc in the corner st.
– Sc in the next 22 sts.
– Work 3 sc in the last st.
– Work 2 sc in each row-end up the right edge. (72 sc)
Fasten off.
Count: 72 + 3 + 22 + 3 + 72 = 172 sc. The bottom edge has 28 sc, including both corner groups.
Why the math works: Each dc row is 0.5 in (1.3 cm) tall. Two sc in that height gives 4 sc per inch, which matches gauge, so the edge lies flat.
Ring: Wrap each strap 1.5 in (3.8 cm) over the ring toward the back and whipstitch it down. That leaves 3.5 in (8.9 cm) of each strap showing.
Final Blocking
- Lightly mist the holder with water until it is damp.
- Put a roll in each pocket to hold its shape.
- Pin the panel to 6.5 in (16.5 cm) wide.
- Open out the fans and pin each rim scallop.
- Let it dry completely, which takes 12–24 hours.
- Remove the rolls and insert the plastic canvas if you’re using it.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Each pocket base measures 6 in × 4 in (15.2 cm × 10.2 cm).
- Each pocket has 10 fans and 20 scallops, with 6 scallops across the front.
- The pockets are 1 in (2.5 cm) apart.
- The flowers are centered and the leaves are symmetrical.
- The straps are the same length and the ring hangs level.
- All ends are woven in at least 2 in (5.1 cm).
Troubleshooting
- Pocket sags forward: Add more tacking points or insert the plastic canvas.
- Fans look crowded: Recount Rnd 4. It should have 80 sts.
- Rim ruffles: Check that Rnd 8 has 100 sts. If it does, use a hook one size smaller for the rim.
- Panel curls: Reblock it and loosen the joining stitches.
- Holder hangs crooked: Wrap the same length of each strap over the ring.
Care
Hand wash in cool water and press out the water with a towel. Dry flat with rolls in the pockets so they keep their shape.
Final Notes
Each measurement leads to the next:
- Gauge of 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm)
- 24-st base = 6 in (15.2 cm)
- 80 sts around the base, giving 10 fans
- 90 sts after Rnd 7
- 100 sts in the rim, giving 20 scallops
- Pocket height of 3.5 in (8.9 cm)
- 24-st panel, joined 1:1 to each pocket base
- Finished holder of 6.5 in × 16.75 in (16.5 cm × 42.5 cm)
If you check each stage, the holder will hang straight and the rolls will fit.
Happy crocheting!