This hanging toilet paper holder stacks three round baskets on one cream strap. Each basket is covered in rows of crocodile-stitch scales, so the outside looks like rounded petals overlapping in neat, offset tiers.
The palette is warm and soft: coral, cream, and peach scales, a coral base, a cream rim, and a natural wooden ring at the top. It looks good in a bathroom without shouting, and each basket holds one standard roll with the top showing.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. Each basket is about 5 in (12.7 cm) across inside, about 5.75 in (14.6 cm) across the scales, and 4.25 in (10.8 cm) tall. The holder hangs about 20 in (50.8 cm) long from the top of the ring to the bottom of the last basket.
Construction is simple. You crochet each basket in the round from the base up: a flat single-crochet circle, then five tiers of scales, then a single-crochet rim. Next you work a straight strap in rows, fold one end over the ring, and sew the three baskets down its length.
Finished Size and Construction
- Basket size: 4.9 in (12.4 cm) base diameter, 5.75 in (14.6 cm) across scales, 4.25 in (10.8 cm) tall
- Overall hanging length: 20 in (50.8 cm) including ring
- Skill level: Intermediate (you’ll need to be comfortable with crocodile stitch)
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4) cotton
- Hook: 5 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 3 baskets + 1 strap + 1 wooden ring
- Layout: 1 column of 3 baskets, evenly spaced on the strap
- Piece size: 54 stitches around, 15.4 in (39.1 cm) circumference
- Size before border (rim): basket wall 3.25 in (8.3 cm) tall
- Border (rim) depth: 4 rounds, 1 in (2.5 cm)
Materials
Use a smooth worsted-weight cotton or cotton blend. Cotton holds its shape in a humid room and makes clear, crisp scales. Avoid fuzzy or very stretchy acrylic, because the baskets will sag under the weight of the rolls.
- Coral (Color A): 100 g, about 170 m (bases, tiers 1 and 4)
- Cream (Color B): 100 g, about 170 m (tiers 2 and 5, top V round, rims, strap)
- Peach (Color C): 50 g, about 85 m (tier 3)
Tools:
– 5 mm (H-8) crochet hook
– 1 wooden ring, 2.75 in (7.0 cm) diameter
– Tapestry needle
– Stitch markers
– Scissors
– Rustproof pins
– Measuring tape
These quantities include a margin of about 25%. Crocodile stitch uses a lot of yarn, so buy from one dye lot if you can.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- BLO – back loop only
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sp – space
- sk – skip
- rep – repeat
- MR – magic ring
V-pair: 2 dc worked in the same stitch or space. In the first V-pair of a round, ch 3 counts as the first dc.
Scale: Rotate the work so the V-pair sits sideways. Work 5 dc around the post of the first dc of the pair from top to bottom, ch 1, then work 5 dc around the post of the second dc from bottom to top. That makes 10 dc. The scale folds down over the round below it. The center of a scale means the space between its 5th and 6th dc.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 14 sc × 16 rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm) in sc. One V round is about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) tall, and each finished scale hangs about 0.75 in (1.9 cm).
Make one complete basket before starting the others. Use these checkpoints:
- After Rnd 3 (18 sts): about 1.6 in (4.1 cm) across
- After Rnd 6 (36 sts): about 3.3 in (8.4 cm) across
- After Rnd 9 (54 sts): 4.9 in (12.4 cm) across, lying flat
- After Rnd 21: wall about 3.25 in (8.3 cm) tall
- After Rnd 25: 4.25 in (10.8 cm) tall; a roll should drop in easily
If your base is too large, go down to a 4.5 mm hook. If it’s too small, or the roll won’t fit, go up to a 5.5 mm hook. Don’t add stitches, because the scale repeat needs exactly 54 stitches.
Basket (Make 3)
Base
With Color A:
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc in ring, join with sl st to first sc. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, join. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around, join. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around, join. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around, join. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, *sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around, join. (36 sts)
Rnd 7: Ch 1, *sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around, join. (42 sts)
Rnd 8: Ch 1, *sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around, join. (48 sts)
Rnd 9: Ch 1, *sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around, join. (54 sts)
Rnd 10 (turning round): Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, join. (54 sts) This makes the edge turn up into a wall.
Wall: Scale Tiers
Each tier is one V round followed by one scale round, both worked in the same color. Fasten off at the end of each tier.
Rnd 11 (V round, Color A): Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same st, ch 1, sk 2 sts, *2 dc in next st, ch 1, sk 2 sts; rep from * 16 more times, join to top of ch-3. (18 V-pairs: 36 dc + 18 ch-1 sps = 54 sts wide)
Rnd 12 (scale round, Color A): Sl st between the 2 dc of the first V-pair (Pair 1). *Work a Scale over the next V-pair, sl st between the 2 dc of the following V-pair; rep from * around. The last Scale is worked over Pair 18; join with sl st to the first sl st. (9 scales on the even pairs, 9 sl sts on the odd pairs) Fasten off.
Rnd 13 (V round, Color B): Join with sl st in the center of any scale. Ch 3, dc in same sp, ch 1, 2 dc in next sl st, ch 1; *2 dc in center of next scale, ch 1, 2 dc in next sl st, ch 1; rep from * 7 more times, join. (18 V-pairs: 36 dc + 18 ch-1 sps)
The odd pairs now sit on the scale centers and the even pairs sit on the sl sts. This half-step shift is what makes the tiers staggered.
Rnd 14 (scale round, Color B): Work as Rnd 12. (9 scales) Fasten off.
The new scales fall between the scales of the previous tier.
Rnds 15–16 (Color C): Work as Rnds 13–14. (18 V-pairs, then 9 scales)
Rnds 17–18 (Color A): Work as Rnds 13–14. (18 V-pairs, then 9 scales)
Rnds 19–20 (Color B): Work as Rnds 13–14. (18 V-pairs, then 9 scales) Don’t fasten off.
Rnd 21 (top V round, Color B): Sl st across to the center of the next scale, then work as Rnd 13. (18 V-pairs: 36 dc + 18 ch-1 sps) This round has no scales. It gives the rim a firm base and sits just above the top cream scales.
Checkpoint: 5 tiers of scales (45 scales in total) in coral, cream, peach, coral, cream from the bottom up. The wall should measure 3.25 in (8.3 cm) and stand straight, not flare out.
The rim is worked in the Border section below.
Make All Pieces
- Baskets: 3, each with 1 coral base, 5 scale tiers (2 coral, 2 cream, 1 peach), and 1 cream rim
- Strap: 1, in cream
Color totals across the three baskets: 6 coral tiers, 6 cream tiers, and 3 peach tiers.
Strap (Color B): Ch 6.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (5 sts)
Rows 2–80: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (5 sts)
The strap measures 1.4 in (3.6 cm) wide and 20 in (50.8 cm) long. Don’t fasten off yet; the strap edging is worked in the Border section.
Layout grid (top to bottom, along the strap):
[ wooden ring ]
| strap fold-over: rows 1–11, 2.75 in (7.0 cm) |
| strap visible: 1.5 in (3.8 cm) |
[ BASKET 1 ] 4.25 in (10.8 cm)
| strap gap: 1.5 in (3.8 cm) |
[ BASKET 2 ] 4.25 in (10.8 cm)
| strap gap: 1.5 in (3.8 cm) |
[ BASKET 3 ] 4.25 in (10.8 cm)
The hanging section is 1.5 + 4.25 + 1.5 + 4.25 + 1.5 + 4.25 = 17.25 in (43.8 cm). Add the 2.75 in (7.0 cm) fold-over and you get exactly 20 in (50.8 cm), which is 80 rows.
Joining
Work the strap edge from the Border section before you start joining.
Ring: Slide rows 1–11 through the wooden ring and fold them down over the back of the strap. Whipstitch the end of row 1 across all 5 stitches of row 22 with cream, so the 11 folded rows lie flat on rows 12–22.
Baskets: Pin each basket so the center back of its rim lies on the strap. Then whipstitch each strap row to the matching rim round, one row to one round. The 4 rim rounds line up with 4 strap rows, and the 5 strap stitches line up with 5 rim stitches, so the strap lies flat and doesn’t pull.
Next, sew the bottom edge of the strap section to the 5 matching stitches of Rnd 10 (the turning round) at the base. Tack the strap to the V rounds between the scales too, so the scales stay free to lie flat.
Tension: Pull each stitch snug but not tight. If the rim dimples inward, you’re pulling too hard. Use a separate length of yarn for each basket and knot it firmly inside.
Size checkpoint: Hang the holder. The gaps should measure 1.5 in (3.8 cm), and the total length should be 20 in (50.8 cm).
Border
The border is the cream rim on each basket plus a slip-stitch edge on the strap.
Border gauge: 14 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm); 4 rounds = 1 in (2.5 cm).
Basket Rim (Color B, continuing from Rnd 21)
Rnd 22 (conversion round): Ch 1, sc in each dc and in each ch-1 sp around, join. (36 sc in dc + 18 sc in ch-1 sps = 54 sts) If you split the circle into a front half and a back half, that’s 27 sts on each side.
Rnds 23–25: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (54 sts; 27 sts per half)
Fasten off and weave in all ends on the inside.
Why the math works: The base ends at 54 sts. Every V round uses 3 stitches per V-pair (2 dc + ch 1), and 18 × 3 = 54. Rnd 22 returns 36 + 18 = 54, which is exactly the base count. Because the stitch count matches, the rim keeps the same 15.4 in (39.1 cm) circumference as the base and the wall stands straight.
Strap Edge
Turn the strap to work along a long edge. Sl st in the end of each row: 80 sl sts. Ch 1 at the corner, sl st in each of the 5 sts across the end, ch 1. Then work 80 sl sts down the second long edge, ch 1, 5 sl sts across the other end, ch 1, and join. (Per side: 80, 5, 80, 5) Fasten off.
Final Blocking
- Wet each basket in cool water and gently squeeze out the excess. Don’t wring it.
- Roll it in a towel to take out more water.
- Put a toilet roll wrapped in a plastic bag inside each basket to hold its shape.
- Smooth every scale downward with your fingers so the tips point straight down.
- Pin the strap flat on a towel at 1.4 in (3.6 cm) wide.
- Let everything dry completely, usually 24 hours.
- Hang the holder for a few hours before use so it settles.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Each base lies flat at 4.9 in (12.4 cm).
- Each basket has 54 sts in Rnds 10 and 22–25.
- Each basket has 5 tiers of 9 scales in the right color order.
- The scales in each tier sit centered between the scales below.
- Each rim is 1 in (2.5 cm) deep.
- The strap is 80 rows and 1.4 in (3.6 cm) wide.
- The gaps between baskets are 1.5 in (3.8 cm).
- The total length is 20 in (50.8 cm).
- All ends are hidden inside the baskets.
Troubleshooting
Scales curl up instead of lying flat: Your dc are tight. Loosen up, or block with gentle downward tension.
Scales line up instead of staggering: Rnd 13 was started in a sl st, not a scale center. Rip back and rejoin in the center of a scale.
Wall flares out: Your V rounds are loose. Make the ch-1 tighter, or use a smaller hook for the V rounds only.
Wall pulls in: Check Rnd 22. You need 54 sc, including 1 in every ch-1 sp.
Basket sags under the roll: Tack the strap at Rnd 10 as well as at the rim.
Gaps look uneven: Measure from the top of the fold, then re-pin before sewing.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, reshape, and dry flat with a roll inside each basket. Don’t tumble dry, because the scales may felt or distort.
Final Notes
Everything in this holder comes from one measurement chain. A gauge of 14 sc to 4 in (10.2 cm) gives a 54-stitch base of 4.9 in (12.4 cm). Five tiers of 18 V-pairs and 9 scales keep that 54-stitch circumference, and the 54-stitch rim adds 1 in (2.5 cm), so each basket is 4.25 in (10.8 cm) tall. Three baskets plus three 1.5 in (3.8 cm) strap sections add up to 17.25 in (43.8 cm). With the 2.75 in (7.0 cm) fold, the strap is 20 in (50.8 cm), which is 80 rows. Check your gauge on the first basket and the rest will follow.
Happy crocheting!