This hanging holder stores three spare rolls of toilet paper in three lavender baskets that look like tulips. Each basket has a solid round base, a wall of shell stitch, and a rim of six pointed petals outlined in single crochet. Two slim straps join the baskets and gather at a wooden ring, so the holder hangs from any hook or towel bar.
The design is all one color, a soft lavender, for a calm cottage look. Cotton yarn keeps the shells crisp and the baskets firm enough to stand open around a roll.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. Each basket measures 5 in (12.7 cm) across and 4 in (10.2 cm) tall to the petal tips. The finished holder hangs 17 in (43.2 cm) from the fold at the ring to the bottom of the lowest basket.
For each basket you work a flat double crochet base, turn up the wall with a back-loop round, work four shell rounds, and then crochet six petals in short rows. A single crochet edging outlines the petals. You then make two straps and sew them to opposite sides of all three baskets.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 5.5 in (14.0 cm) wide including straps × 17 in (43.2 cm) long, plus the ring
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4) cotton
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 5 (3 baskets, 2 straps)
- Layout: 3 baskets stacked vertically on 2 side straps, with 2.5 in (6.4 cm) gaps between baskets
- Piece size: each basket is 5 in (12.7 cm) across × 4 in (10.2 cm) tall to the tips; each strap is 0.75 in × 18.5 in (1.9 cm × 47.0 cm)
- Size before border: each basket is 3.75 in (9.5 cm) tall to the petal tips
- Border depth: 0.25 in (0.6 cm), one round of single crochet around the petals
Materials
Use a smooth worsted-weight cotton or cotton blend. Cotton holds its shape, survives humid bathrooms, and shows the shell texture clearly. Avoid fuzzy or very soft acrylic, because the baskets will slump.
- Lavender: 170 g, about 255 m (279 yd)
These quantities include a margin of about 15%. One basket uses about 45 g, and each strap uses about 8 g.
Tools:
– 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
– Wooden ring, 2 in (5.1 cm) across
– Tapestry needle
– 6 locking stitch markers
– Scissors
– Measuring tape
– Blocking pins, plus a 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall jar or a toilet roll to use as a form
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
- BLO – back loop only
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sk – skip
- sp – space
- rep – repeat
Special stitch – Shell: Work 5 dc into the same stitch.
Gauge and Checkpoints
- Double crochet in the round: 15 dc and 8 rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm)
- Single crochet: 16 sc and 16 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm)
Make one complete basket before making the others, and check it at each stage:
- After Rnd 1, the circle measures 1 in (2.5 cm) across.
- After Rnd 3, it measures 3 in (7.6 cm) across.
- After Rnd 5, the base measures 5 in (12.7 cm) across. Its edge is 60 sts at 15 sts per 4 in, which is 16 in (40.6 cm) around, so the base fits a standard roll with room to spare.
- After Rnd 11, the wall is 2.5 in (6.4 cm) tall.
- After the petals, the basket is 3.75 in (9.5 cm) tall to the tips.
- After the edging, the basket is 4 in (10.2 cm) tall to the tips.
If your base is wider than 5.25 in (13.3 cm), go down half a hook size. If it is narrower than 4.75 in (12.1 cm), or a roll will not drop in easily, go up half a size. If the base ruffles, your tension is too loose. If it cups, it is too tight.
Basket (Make 3)
Base
Rnd 1: Make a magic ring. Ch 3 (counts as dc), work 11 dc in the ring, and sl st to the top of the ch-3. (12 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc in the same st, then 2 dc in each st around. Sl st to the top of the ch-3. (24 sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 3, dc in the same st, dc in the next st. 2 dc in the next st, dc in the next st; rep from * around. Sl st to join. (36 sts)*
Rnd 4: Ch 3, dc in the same st, dc in the next 2 sts. 2 dc in the next st, dc in the next 2 sts; rep from * around. Sl st to join. (48 sts)*
Rnd 5: Ch 3, dc in the same st, dc in the next 3 sts. 2 dc in the next st, dc in the next 3 sts; rep from * around. Sl st to join. (60 sts)*
Checkpoint: the base should lie flat and measure 5 in (12.7 cm) across.
Wall
Rnd 6 (turning round): Ch 1, then sc BLO in each st around. Sl st to the first sc. (60 sts: 60 worked 1 per existing stitch + 0 added)
The unused front loops make a ridge that turns the wall upward.
Rnd 7: Ch 1, sc in the first st. Sk 2 sts, Shell in the next st, sk 2 sts, sc in the next st; rep from * 9 more times, leaving out the final sc on the last rep. Sl st to the first sc. (10 shells + 10 sc = 60 sts)*
Rnd 8: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in the same st to make a half shell. Sk 2 dc, sc in the center dc of the next shell, sk 2 dc, Shell in the next sc; rep from * around, ending with sc in the center dc of the last shell. Sk 2 dc, work 2 dc in the first st (the base of the ch-3), and sl st to the top of the ch-3. (10 shells, counting the split shell as one, + 10 sc = 60 sts)*
Rnd 9: Ch 1, sc in the top of the ch-3, which is the center of the split shell. Sk 2 dc, Shell in the next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in the center dc of the next shell; rep from * around, leaving out the final sc. Sl st to the first sc. (60 sts)*
Rnd 10: Repeat Rnd 8. (60 sts)
Rnd 11: Ch 1, then sc in each st around: work into each dc and each sc, and into the top of the ch-3. Sl st to the first sc. (60 sts: 60 worked 1 per existing stitch + 0 added)
Checkpoint: the wall measures 2.5 in (6.4 cm) from the turning ridge, which is 0.25 + (4 × 0.5) + 0.25 in.
Place markers in sts 1, 11, 21, 31, 41, and 51. Each marker shows where a petal starts. The petal boundaries at st 1 and st 31 are directly opposite each other, and the straps will sit there later.
Petals (6 per basket)
Petal 1, Row 1: Ch 1, sc in the next 10 sts, starting with the marked st. Turn. (10 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in the next 6 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (8 sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in the next 4 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (6 sts)
Row 4: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in the next 2 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (4 sts)
Row 5: Ch 1, sc2tog twice. (2 sts) Fasten off.
Petals 2–6: Join yarn in the next marked st of Rnd 11 and repeat Rows 1–5.
Because you take away one stitch at each edge every row, each side of a petal slopes at 45 degrees. The petal is 10 sts at the base and 5 rows (1.25 in / 3.2 cm) tall. Checkpoint: the basket is 3.75 in (9.5 cm) tall at the tips.
Make All Pieces
Make 3 Baskets and 2 Straps, all in Lavender. The baskets use about 135 g and the straps about 16 g.
Strap (make 2): Ch 4. Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each remaining ch. Turn. (3 sts) Rows 2–74: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (3 sts) Fasten off, leaving a 24 in (61.0 cm) tail. The strap measures 0.75 × 18.5 in (1.9 × 47.0 cm), because 74 rows at 4 rows per inch is 18.5 in.
Layout:
[ RING ]
/ \
Strap A Strap B
| [ BASKET 1 ] |
| gap |
| [ BASKET 2 ] |
| gap |
| [ BASKET 3 ] |
Strap row map (the same for both straps):
– Rows 1–6: tab that folds over the ring
– Rows 7–24: hanging leg, 4.5 in (11.4 cm)
– Rows 25–34: sewn to Basket 1, 2.5 in (6.4 cm)
– Rows 35–44: gap, 2.5 in (6.4 cm)
– Rows 45–54: sewn to Basket 2
– Rows 55–64: gap
– Rows 65–74: sewn to Basket 3
The rows add up to 6 + 18 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 = 74.
Border (Petal Edging)
Work the edging on every basket before joining.
Border gauge: 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm), or 4 sc per inch. Each petal side rises 5 rows, or 1.25 in (3.2 cm), at 45 degrees. The slanted edge is therefore 1.25 × 1.414 = 1.77 in (4.5 cm) long, and 1.77 in × 4 sc per inch gives 7 sc per side. With 7 sc per side, the edge lies flat without flaring or puckering.
Edging Rnd: Join yarn at the base of Petal 1, at the marker in st 1. Work each petal like this:
- Up the side: Work into the row ends of Rows 1–5 in this order: 2 sc, 1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc, 1 sc. (7 sc)
- Tip: Sc in the first st of Row 5, ch 2, sc in the second st. (2 sc + 1 ch-2 sp)
- Down the side: Work into the row ends of Rows 5–1 in this order: 1 sc, 2 sc, 1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc. (7 sc)
That makes 16 sc per petal. At each valley, work the last sc of one petal and the first sc of the next petal together as one sc2tog. This makes a sharp V between petals. Sl st to the first st to finish the round.
Count: 6 petals × 16 sc = 96. Subtract one stitch for each of the 6 valley joins, which gives 90 sts + 6 ch-2 tip spaces.
Why the math works: Each petal has exactly 5 rows, so every side has 5 row ends. You work 7 sc into those 5 row ends because the slanted edge is about 1.4 times longer than its height. The ch-2 at each tip lets the point turn sharply, and the sc2tog at each valley pulls the V in. The edging adds 0.25 in (0.6 cm), so the basket is 3.75 + 0.25 = 4 in (10.2 cm) tall to the tips.
Weave in all ends.
Joining
Method: Whipstitch with the tapestry needle and matching yarn, using the strap tails or new lengths of yarn.
- Ring tab: Fold Rows 1–6 of Strap A over the wooden ring. Whipstitch Row 1 to the back of Row 12, one stitch into each of the 3 sts. Repeat with Strap B, placing it right next to Strap A on the ring.
- Basket 1: Center Strap A on the valley at st 1 of Basket 1. Line up Row 25 with the top of Rnd 11 and Row 34 with the turning ridge from Rnd 6. Do the same with Strap B at the valley at st 31.
- Stitch-to-stitch: The 10 strap rows match the 2.5 in (6.4 cm) wall height, so sew 1 whipstitch per strap row along each long edge of the strap. That is 10 stitches per edge and 20 per basket side. Each stitch goes through one strap row end and the nearest wall stitch.
- Baskets 2 and 3: Repeat with strap Rows 45–54 and Rows 65–74. Leave the gap rows unsewn.
Tension: Pull each whipstitch snug but not tight. Tight stitches pinch the wall and pull the petals out of line, while loose stitches let the basket tilt forward. Lay the holder flat and check that the baskets hang level before you weave in ends.
Size checkpoint: The holder measures 17 in (43.2 cm) from the ring fold to the bottom of Basket 3, with 2.5 in (6.4 cm) of bare strap between baskets. The petal tips of a lower basket rise 1.5 in (3.8 cm) above its valleys, which leaves 1 in (2.5 cm) of space below the basket above. A roll stands 2 in (5.1 cm) above the valleys, which leaves 0.5 in (1.3 cm) of space for lifting rolls in and out.
Final Blocking
- Lightly spray each basket with water until it is damp but not soaked.
- Slide each basket over a 4.5 in (11.4 cm) jar or a toilet roll.
- Shape each petal with your fingers so it stands upright, then pin each ch-2 tip to a point.
- Pinch every valley V so it is crisp.
- Lay the straps flat and smooth them straight.
- Let everything dry completely, which takes 12–24 hours.
- Remove the forms. Each basket should stand open at 5 in (12.7 cm) across.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- [ ] Each base lies flat and measures 5 in (12.7 cm) across
- [ ] Rnds 5–11 each have 60 sts
- [ ] There are 10 shells per round, and they line up neatly
- [ ] Each basket has 6 petals, each with 10 / 8 / 6 / 4 / 2 sts
- [ ] Each edging round has 90 sts + 6 ch-2 tips
- [ ] Each basket is 4 in (10.2 cm) tall to the tips
- [ ] Each strap has 74 rows and measures 18.5 in (47.0 cm)
- [ ] The straps sit at opposite valleys on all three baskets
- [ ] The gaps are 2.5 in (6.4 cm) and the baskets hang level
- [ ] All ends are woven in securely
Troubleshooting
- Base cups upward: Your dc rounds are too tight. Go up half a hook size or relax your tension.
- Base ruffles: Your tension is too loose, or you added extra increases. Recount to 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 sts.
- Shells drift or lean: Check that every sc sits in a center dc and every shell sits in an sc.
- Petals flop: Your yarn is too soft or your tension too loose. Re-block over a form, or use a smaller hook for the petals.
- Edging ripples: You worked more than 7 sc per side. Rework using the 2-1-1-2-1 order.
- Basket tilts forward: The strap isn’t sewn all the way down to the turning ridge. Add stitches at the bottom.
- Roll won’t fit: The base is too small. Go up a hook size.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, press out the water in a towel, and reshape the baskets over jars to dry. Do not tumble dry.
Final Notes
Every measurement follows from the one before it. The 60-st base measures 5 in (12.7 cm) across, and the 60-st shell wall rises 2.5 in (6.4 cm). The six 10-st petals add 1.25 in (3.2 cm) and the edging adds 0.25 in (0.6 cm), so each basket is 4 in (10.2 cm) tall. The 74-row straps give a 4.5 in (11.4 cm) hanging leg, three 2.5 in (6.4 cm) attachments, and two 2.5 in (6.4 cm) gaps, for a total length of 17 in (43.2 cm). If you check your gauge at each checkpoint, your holder will match these numbers.
Happy crocheting!