The Lilac Crown holder is a three-tier hanging organizer. Three oval lace baskets are stacked on two braided cords and hang from a single peg. Each basket holds one standard toilet roll standing upright, so the holder is useful in a small bathroom and nice to look at too.
The baskets are soft lilac with crisp white trim. Each one starts with a dense single crochet base and a short solid wall. Next comes a round of lilac fans, then an open lilac mesh. Two tiers of white scallops with a lilac lattice between them finish each rim, so every basket looks like a small layered crown.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished holder is about 8 in (20.3 cm) wide and 24 in (61.0 cm) tall, measured from the bottom of the lowest basket to the top of the hanging loop. Each basket base measures 8 x 5 in (20.3 x 12.7 cm), and each basket stands 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall.
Construction is simple. You make three identical baskets in joined rounds, starting from an oval worked around a foundation chain. Then you make two long cords, sew them to the narrow ends of each basket, and join the cord tops into a hanging loop.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 8 in (20.3 cm) wide x 24 in (61.0 cm) tall, hanging
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4) cotton
- Hook: 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Number of pieces: 5 (3 baskets, 2 cords)
- Layout: 3 baskets stacked vertically, 2.5 in (6.4 cm) apart, hung on 2 side cords
- Piece size: each basket base is 8 x 5 in (20.3 x 12.7 cm) and 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall; each cord is 24 in (61.0 cm) long
- Size before border: each basket is 1.75 in (4.4 cm) tall after Rnd 15
- Border depth: the crown (Rnds 16-18) is 1.75 in (4.4 cm)
Materials
Use a smooth, firm worsted-weight cotton or cotton blend. Cotton holds the basket shape and keeps the scallops crisp. Avoid stretchy acrylic, because the cords carry weight. The amounts below assume about 85 m per 50 g.
- Lilac: 150 g, about 255 m (bases, walls, fans, mesh, cords)
- White: 50 g, about 85 m (crown scallops)
- 4.5 mm (US 7) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers (at least 4)
- Scissors and measuring tape
- Optional: an oval cardboard or plastic canvas insert for each base
The quantities include a generous margin for a test basket and for differences in tension.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- BLO – back loop only
- sk – skip
- sp – space
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- Rnd – round
Shell: 5 dc in the same stitch.
Scallop: 7 dc (Rnd 16) or 9 dc (Rnd 18) worked into the same chain space.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 16 sc x 16 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm) in sc worked in the round. That’s 4 sts and 4 rnds per 1 in (2.5 cm).
Make one complete basket before starting the others. It’s your real swatch, and every later measurement depends on it.
- After Rnd 5: the base measures about 5.5 x 2.5 in (14.0 x 6.4 cm).
- After Rnd 10: the base measures 8 x 5 in (20.3 x 12.7 cm), with a circumference of 21 in (53.3 cm).
- After Rnd 15: the wall is 1.75 in (4.4 cm) tall.
- After Rnd 18: the basket is 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall.
If your base is too big, change to a 4 mm (US G-6) hook. If it’s too small, change to a 5 mm (US H-8) hook. A standard roll is about 4.5 in (11.4 cm) across, so the base must be at least 5 in (12.7 cm) wide.
Basket (Make 3)
Oval Base (Lilac)
Each base has two curved ends and two straight sides. The sides stay at 12 sts in every round. Each end gains 3 sts per round, so each round adds 6 sts in total.
Ch 15.
Rnd 1: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook (End A), sc in next 12 ch, 3 sc in last ch (End B). Rotate and work along the opposite side of the foundation chain: sc in next 12 ch. Join with sl st to first sc. (30 sts: End A 3, side 12, End B 3, side 12)
Place a marker in the first st of End A. Begin every round there.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, [2 sc in each of next 3 sts, sc in next 12 sts] twice. Join. (36 sts: ends 6 each, sides 12 each)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, [(sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) 3 times, sc in next 12 sts] twice. Join. (42 sts: ends 9 each)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, [(sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st) 3 times, sc in next 12 sts] twice. Join. (48 sts: ends 12 each)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, [(sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st) 3 times, sc in next 12 sts] twice. Join. (54 sts: ends 15 each)
Rnds 6-10: Continue in the same way. In each round, work 1 more plain sc before each increase on the ends. The sides always stay at 12 sc.
- Rnd 6: 60 sts (ends 18 each)
- Rnd 7: 66 sts (ends 21 each)
- Rnd 8: 72 sts (ends 24 each)
- Rnd 9: 78 sts (ends 27 each)
- Rnd 10: 84 sts (ends 30 each, sides 12 each)
Check: 30 + 12 + 30 + 12 = 84. The base should lie flat and measure 8 x 5 in (20.3 x 12.7 cm).
Solid Wall (Lilac)
Rnd 11 (turning round): Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around. Join. (84 sts)
The unused front loops leave a clean ridge where the wall turns upward.
Rnds 12-13: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (84 sts)
The wall is now about 0.75 in (1.9 cm) tall.
Fan Round (Lilac)
Rnd 14: Ch 1, sc in first st. Sk 2 sts, shell in next st, sk 2 sts, sc in next st. Repeat from * around, ending with sk 2 sts. Join to first sc. (14 shells and 14 sc)
Each repeat uses 6 sts, and 84 ÷ 6 = 14 repeats. Because you started at End A, each 30-st end holds 5 shells and each 12-st side holds 2 shells.
Mesh Round (Lilac)
Rnd 15: Sl st in next 3 sts to reach the center dc of the first shell. Ch 1, sc in same st. Ch 5, sc in center dc of next shell. Repeat from * around, ending with ch 5. Join to first sc. (14 sc and 14 ch-5 sps)
Count check: 14 sc + 70 ch = 84. That matches the wall exactly, so the mesh stands straight without pulling in. Fasten off the lilac.
Checkpoint: the wall should now be 1.75 in (4.4 cm) tall.
Make All Pieces
Make 3 baskets through Rnd 15, then add the crown border (Rnds 16-18, below) to each one. Then make 2 cords.
Yarn use by color:
- Lilac: Rnds 1-15 and Rnd 17 on all 3 baskets, plus both cords
- White: Rnds 16 and 18 on all 3 baskets
Cord (Make 2, Lilac)
Ch 97.
Row 1: Sc in back bump of 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (96 sc)
Row 2: Don’t turn. Rotate and sl st in each free loop of the foundation chain across. (96 sl st)
Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail.
The slip stitch edge rolls against the sc edge and gives the cord its braided look. Each cord should be 24 in (61.0 cm) long and about 0.4 in (1.0 cm) wide. At 4 sts per inch, 96 sts = 24 in.
Layout (front view):
/\ <- hanging loop
/ \ <- cord sts 63-96 (free)
| |
[ Basket 1 ] <- cord sts 49-62
| | <- cord sts 39-48 (gap)
[ Basket 2 ] <- cord sts 25-38
| | <- cord sts 15-24 (gap)
[ Basket 3 ] <- cord sts 1-14
Joining
Method: Whipstitch with lilac yarn tails, working through both the cord and the basket wall.
Attachment points: Flatten each basket with its long sides together. The two folds mark the centers of the narrow ends. Mark both.
Stitch-to-stitch logic: Number the cord sts starting from the bottom end. Each basket is 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall, which equals 14 cord sts. Each gap between baskets is 2.5 in (6.4 cm), which equals 10 cord sts.
- Basket 3 (bottom): cord sts 1-14
- Gap: cord sts 15-24
- Basket 2 (middle): cord sts 25-38
- Gap: cord sts 39-48
- Basket 1 (top): cord sts 49-62
- Free cord to the top: cord sts 63-96, which is 34 sts or 8.5 in (21.6 cm)
Lay the cord on the outside of the basket over the end marker. Line up the first st of that basket’s cord section with the Rnd 11 ridge. Work 1 whipstitch per cord st, from bottom to top. Use these checkpoints:
- Cord st 3 sits at the top of Rnd 13.
- Cord st 7 sits at the top of Rnd 15.
- Cord st 14 sits at the top of Rnd 18.
Attach the second cord to the opposite end of each basket the same way.
Tension: Pull each whipstitch snug, but not so tight that the wall puckers. Cotton has no give, so tight seams will pull the scallops out of shape.
Hanging loop: Line up the two cord tops. Join lilac and sl st through both cord ends together. Ch 12, then sl st into the joined point to close the loop. Fasten off.
Size checkpoint: Hang the holder. It should measure 8 in (20.3 cm) wide at the baskets and about 24 in (61.0 cm) tall.
Border: Scalloped Crown
The white and lilac crown is the border of each basket. Work it on all three baskets before you join them.
Border gauge: Each crown repeat sits over 6 base sts, which is 1.5 in (3.8 cm). With 14 repeats, 14 x 1.5 = 21 in (53.3 cm), the same as the basket circumference.
Rnd 16 (white): Join white with sc in the first sc of Rnd 15, above the first shell of End A. 7 dc in next ch-5 sp, sc in next sc. Repeat from * around, ending with 7 dc in the last ch-5 sp. Join and fasten off. (112 sts: 14 scallops x 8 sts)
- Each end: 5 scallops = 40 sts
- Each side: 2 scallops = 16 sts
- Check: 40 + 16 + 40 + 16 = 112
Rnd 17 (lilac): Join lilac with sc in the 4th (center) dc of the first scallop. Ch 6, sc in center dc of next scallop. Repeat from * around, ending with ch 6. Join and fasten off. (14 sc and 14 ch-6 sps = 98 sts)
- Each end: 5 ch-6 sps
- Each side: 2 ch-6 sps
Rnd 18 (white): Join white with sc in the first sc of Rnd 17. 9 dc in next ch-6 sp, sc in next sc. Repeat from * around, ending with 9 dc in the last sp. Join and fasten off. (140 sts: 14 scallops x 10 sts)
- Each end: 5 scallops = 50 sts
- Each side: 2 scallops = 20 sts
- Check: 50 + 20 + 50 + 20 = 140
Why the math works: The crown keeps 14 repeats all the way up, so every scallop lines up over a fan or a mesh loop. Only the stitches inside each repeat increase, from a 5-dc shell to 7 dc and then 9 dc. That growth makes the crown flare outward without ruffling. The Rnd 17 sc sit over the centers of the Rnd 16 scallops, so the two white tiers are offset like layered petals.
Weave all tails into the solid wall rounds so they don’t show through the lace.
Final Blocking
- Soak each basket in cool water for 10 minutes, then press the water out gently. Don’t wring.
- Stuff each basket firmly with a towel rolled to the size of a 4.5 in (11.4 cm) roll, or with a toilet roll wrapped in plastic.
- Press the base flat to 8 x 5 in (20.3 x 12.7 cm).
- Shape each white scallop with your fingertips so it curves evenly outward.
- Pin the cords straight on a towel at 24 in (61.0 cm).
- Let everything air-dry completely before joining.
- Optional: for each base, cut an insert 0.25 in (0.6 cm) smaller all around and set it inside.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Each base has 84 sts and measures 8 x 5 in (20.3 x 12.7 cm).
- Each basket has 14 fans and 14 scallops in each white round.
- Each end has 5 repeats and each side has 2.
- Each basket is 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall.
- Both cords have 96 sts and measure 24 in (61.0 cm).
- The gaps are 2.5 in (6.4 cm) on both sides.
- The baskets hang level, and all tails are hidden in the solid rounds.
Troubleshooting
The base cups upward: Your end increases are too tight. Loosen them or change up a hook size.
The base ruffles: Your tension is too loose. Change down a hook size.
Rnd 14 doesn’t come out even: Recount Rnd 13. It must have exactly 84 sts.
The crown flops: Use a firmer cotton, or block the basket stuffed and let it dry fully.
A basket hangs tilted: One cord was sewn higher than the other. Match the cord st numbers on both sides and re-sew.
The cords stretch: Crochet the cords more firmly, and don’t overload the baskets.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap and reshape while damp. Dry the baskets stuffed, away from direct heat.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is short. A gauge of 4 sts per inch gives an 84-st base of 8 x 5 in (20.3 x 12.7 cm). That base carries 14 repeats through the fans and the crown, and gives a basket 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall. A 96-st cord is 24 in (61.0 cm) long, and its stitch numbers place each basket exactly. If your first basket meets every checkpoint, the other two will match it.
Happy crocheting!