The Meadow Cottage holder is a three-tier hanging organizer that keeps spare toilet rolls tidy and in easy reach. Three round baskets hang one above the other from a wooden ring. Each has a scalloped rim and a small row of flowers across the front.
The colors are soft and calm: cream cotton for the baskets, straps, and petals, sage green for the leaves, and a touch of mustard yellow in each flower center. The textured walls give the baskets structure, so they keep their shape even when empty.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. Each basket measures 5 in (12.7 cm) across and 3.75 in (9.5 cm) tall at the scallop tips. The finished holder hangs about 19.8 in (50.3 cm) from the top of the ring to the bottom of the lowest basket.
Construction is simple. You crochet each basket in joined rounds from the base up, finish the scalloped rim, and sew on the flowers and leaves. Then you make two long straps, sew them down the sides of all three baskets, and fold them over the ring.
Finished Size and Construction
- Basket size: 5 in (12.7 cm) diameter, 3.75 in (9.5 cm) tall at scallop tips
- Overall hanging length: about 19.8 in (50.3 cm), including a 2 in (5.1 cm) ring
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4) cotton
- Hook: 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Number of pieces: 3 baskets, 2 straps, 3 large flowers, 6 small flowers, 18 leaves
- Layout: 1 column of 3 baskets, stacked vertically
- Basket wall before border: 3 in (7.6 cm) tall, 60 stitches around
- Border depth: 0.75 in (1.9 cm) of shell scallops
- Fits: standard rolls up to 4.5 in (11.4 cm) wide
Materials
Choose a firm, smooth worsted-weight yarn in 100% cotton or a cotton blend. Cotton holds its shape well and stands up to bathroom humidity. The quantities below assume a yarn of about 160 m per 100 g.
- Cream: 240 g (384 m) for baskets, straps, and petals
- Sage green: 20 g (32 m) for leaves
- Mustard yellow: 5 g (8 m) for flower centers
All quantities include a margin of roughly 15%.
Tools:
- 4.5 mm (US 7) crochet hook
- 1 wooden ring, 2 in (5.1 cm) diameter
- Tapestry needle
- 4 locking stitch markers
- Scissors and measuring tape
- Rustproof pins for blocking
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- BLO – back loop only
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sk – skip
- rnd(s) – round(s)
Special stitch – Shell: 5 dc worked in the same stitch.
Lemon peel texture: sc and dc alternate. On the next round, you work a dc over each sc and an sc over each dc. The tall stitches lean and pop out, which creates the bumpy surface.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 15 sc and 16 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm) in sc. Work the lemon peel walls to the same round height: 4 rnds = 1 in (2.5 cm).
Test one piece first. Crochet the base of one basket (Rnds 1–10) and measure it before you continue. This base is your gauge swatch.
Checkpoints:
- After Rnd 4 (24 sts): 2 in (5.1 cm) diameter
- After Rnd 6 (36 sts): 3 in (7.6 cm) diameter
- After Rnd 8 (48 sts): 4 in (10.2 cm) diameter
- After Rnd 10 (60 sts): 5 in (12.7 cm) diameter
- After Rnd 22: wall 3 in (7.6 cm) tall, circumference 16 in (40.6 cm)
- After Rnd 23: 3.75 in (9.5 cm) tall at shell tips
If your base is too big, use a hook 0.5 mm smaller. If it is too small, use a hook 0.5 mm larger. If the base ruffles, you are working too loosely. If it cups before Rnd 10, you are working too tightly. Get the gauge right before you move on, because the strap lengths depend on it.
Basket (Make 3)
Use cream. Work in joined rounds. The ch 1 at the start of each round does not count as a stitch. Join each round with a sl st to the first st.
Base
Rnd 1: Make a magic ring, ch 1, 6 sc in ring, join. (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; repeat from * 6 times, join. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st; repeat 6 times, join. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st; repeat 6 times, join. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st; repeat 6 times, join. (36 sts)
Rnd 7: Ch 1, sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st; repeat 6 times, join. (42 sts)
Rnd 8: Ch 1, sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st; repeat 6 times, join. (48 sts)
Rnd 9: Ch 1, sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st; repeat 6 times, join. (54 sts)
Rnd 10: Ch 1, sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st; repeat 6 times, join. (60 sts)
Check: the base lies flat and measures 5 in (12.7 cm) across.
Walls
Rnd 11 (turning round): Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, join. (60 sts)
The unused front loops form the ridge where the base turns upward.
Rnd 12: Ch 1, sc in next st, dc in next st; repeat 30 times, join. (60 sts: 30 sc, 30 dc)
Rnd 13: Ch 1, dc in next st (an sc), sc in next st (a dc); repeat 30 times, join. (60 sts: 30 dc, 30 sc)
Rnds 14–21: Repeat Rnds 12 and 13 four more times. (60 sts each round)
You now have 10 lemon peel rounds (Rnds 12–21).
Rnd 22 (conversion round): Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (60 worked 1-per-stitch + 0 added = 60 sts)
Check: the wall is 3 in (7.6 cm) tall from the ridge and 16 in (40.6 cm) around. Rnds 11–22 are 12 rounds at 4 rnds per inch.
Place a marker in st 1 and another in st 31 of Rnd 22. These mark the left and right strap positions. Do not fasten off. Continue to the border.
Border: Scalloped Rim
Border gauge: each 6-stitch repeat makes one scallop about 1.6 in (4.1 cm) wide and 0.75 in (1.9 cm) deep.
Rnd 23: Ch 1, sc in next st, sk 2 sts, Shell in next st, sk 2 sts; repeat 10 times, join to first sc. Fasten off and weave in. (10 sc + 10 shells of 5 dc = 60 sts; 10 scallops)
Per half (between markers): each half has 30 sts, so it holds exactly 5 scallops.
Why the math works: each scallop repeat uses 6 stitches (1 sc + 2 skipped + 1 shell base + 2 skipped). Since 60 ÷ 6 = 10, the repeat closes with no stitches left over. The markers sit on st 1 and st 31, and both of those are sc “valleys” (31 = 5 × 6 + 1). This means the straps will sit neatly in the dips between shells instead of on top of a shell.
Flowers and Leaves
Large Flower (Make 3)
Rnd 1: With yellow, magic ring, ch 1, 10 sc in ring, join. Fasten off. (10 sts)
Rnd 2: Join cream in any st. Sl st in next st, (hdc, 3 dc, hdc) in next st; repeat 5 times, join. Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail. (5 petals)
Finished diameter: about 1.75 in (4.4 cm).
Small Flower (Make 6)
Rnd 1: With yellow, magic ring, ch 1, 5 sc in ring, join. Fasten off. (5 sts)
Rnd 2: Join cream in any st. In each st around, work (ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st). (5 petals) Fasten off, leaving a tail.
Finished diameter: about 1 in (2.5 cm).
Leaf (Make 18)
With sage, ch 6.
Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working along the opposite side of the chain: hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in the tip. Fasten off, leaving a tail. (11 sts + 1 sl st)
Finished length: about 1.25 in (3.2 cm).
Placement on Each Basket
The front of each basket runs from st 2 to st 30 of Rnd 22. Its center is st 16.
- Sew the large flower centered below st 16, with its middle about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) above the base ridge.
- Sew one small flower 1.5 in (3.8 cm) to each side of the large flower, at the same height.
- Tuck 2 leaves at each side of the large flower, one angled up and one angled down.
- Sew 1 leaf on the outer side of each small flower.
Each basket gets 1 large flower, 2 small flowers, and 6 leaves. Sew through the back of the appliqués only, so the stitches don’t show on the front. Keep every piece below Rnd 22 so the scallops stay clear.
Straps (Make 2)
With cream, ch 71.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Fasten off. (70 sts)
Check: the strap is 18.7 in (47.5 cm) long and about 0.4 in (1.0 cm) wide.
Place markers to divide each strap into sections, counting from one end:
- Sts 1–4: ring wrap, about 1 in (2.5 cm)
- Sts 5–23: top drop, 19 sts, about 5 in (12.7 cm)
- Sts 24–34: Basket 1, 11 sts, about 3 in (7.6 cm)
- Sts 35–41: gap, 7 sts, about 1.9 in (4.8 cm)
- Sts 42–52: Basket 2, 11 sts
- Sts 53–59: gap, 7 sts
- Sts 60–70: Basket 3, 11 sts
Check: 4 + 19 + 11 + 7 + 11 + 7 + 11 = 70.
Make All Pieces
Cream: 3 baskets, 2 straps, and the petal rounds for 3 large and 6 small flowers.
Yellow: 9 flower centers (3 large, 6 small).
Sage: 18 leaves.
Layout (front view):
( ring )
/ \
strap A strap B
| Basket 1 |
| Basket 2 |
| Basket 3 |
All three baskets face the same way, with the flowers at the front and the markers at the left and right sides.
Joining
Method: whipstitch with cream yarn and a tapestry needle. Go through both loops of each strap stitch and one strand of the basket wall.
Stitch-to-stitch logic: lay strap A against the outside of Basket 1 at the st 1 marker, with the wrong side of the strap against the wall. Strap st 24 sits at Rnd 22 in the scallop valley, and strap st 34 sits at the base ridge (Rnd 11). Sew one strap st to each wall round from Rnd 22 down to Rnd 11. There are 11 strap sts for 12 wall rounds, so sew the middle strap st (st 29) to two rounds. Both measure about 3 in (7.6 cm), so the strap lies flat.
Repeat with strap B at the st 31 marker. Attach Basket 2 to sts 42–52 and Basket 3 to sts 60–70 the same way. Leave the 7-stitch gaps free.
Tension advice: pull each whipstitch snug but not tight. Seams that are too tight shorten the strap and bunch up the wall. Sew a second pass along the bottom 3 sts of each section, because that part carries the weight.
Ring: fold sts 1–4 of each strap over the ring to the back and sew them to sts 5–8. Wrap cream yarn 10 times around both straps together, 0.5 in (1.3 cm) below the ring, and hide the ends inside the wrap.
Size checkpoint: hang the holder empty. Measure each gap from the base of one basket to the scallop valley of the basket below. It should be 1.9 in (4.8 cm). The total length should be about 19.8 in (50.3 cm): 2 + 5 + 3 + 1.9 + 3 + 1.9 + 3.
Final Blocking
- Mist all three baskets lightly with water until just damp.
- Slide a jar or rolled towel 5 in (12.7 cm) wide into each basket.
- Pull each shell upward and pin the tips so the scallops stand evenly.
- Smooth each flower and leaf flat with your fingers.
- Hang the holder with a light weight clipped to the bottom basket so the straps dry straight.
- Let everything dry completely before you add the rolls.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Each base lies flat and measures 5 in (12.7 cm).
- Each basket has 60 sts in Rnd 22 and exactly 10 scallops.
- Walls are 3 in (7.6 cm) to the valleys and 3.75 in (9.5 cm) to the tips.
- The straps sit in scallop valleys on the same sides of every basket.
- Both straps have 70 sts and the same section markers.
- The gaps are equal, 1.9 in (4.8 cm) each.
- All 9 flowers and 18 leaves are secure, with no visible sewing.
- The holder hangs straight without tilting.
- Every end is woven in at least 2 in (5.1 cm).
Troubleshooting
Base ruffles: crochet more tightly or use a hook 0.5 mm smaller.
Base cups before Rnd 10: loosen your tension or use a hook 0.5 mm larger.
Walls flare outward: the lemon peel is too loose. Use a smaller hook for Rnds 12–21 only.
Seam line drifts in the walls: this is normal for joined rounds. Keep the join toward the back half.
Scallops don’t close evenly: recount Rnd 22. It must be exactly 60.
Basket tilts forward: the straps are not directly opposite each other. Check the st 1 and st 31 markers again.
Straps stretch over time: add a row of sl sts along the back of each strap.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, press the water out in a towel, and dry flat with the baskets reshaped. Don’t use the dryer, because it can shrink cotton and distort the scallops.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is short and reliable. A 60-stitch base of 5 in (12.7 cm) sets a wall 16 in (40.6 cm) around. Twelve wall rounds give 3 in (7.6 cm) of height, and the 10-scallop rim adds 0.75 in (1.9 cm). Each 70-stitch strap of 18.7 in (47.5 cm) holds the three baskets at even 1.9 in (4.8 cm) gaps, for a finished length of about 19.8 in (50.3 cm). Check each stage and the holder will hang straight and sturdy.
Happy crocheting!