Three crocheted pot holders with popcorn stitch texture in burgundy and blush pink, threaded on wood dowel with ring handle.

Mulberry Shell Hanging Toilet Paper Holder Crochet Pattern

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The Mulberry Shell Hanging Toilet Paper Holder is a three-tier wall organizer that keeps spare rolls tidy and within reach. Three round baskets hang in a straight column from a wooden ring, linked by short side straps and topped with a tapered hanging tab.

The colors are deep burgundy and soft blush pink. Each basket has a solid burgundy base, then alternating pink and burgundy shell rounds set offset so the shells interlock in a staggered scallop. A pink rim with a rope-like twisted edge finishes the top.

This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished holder measures about 5.5 in (14.0 cm) wide and about 20 in (50.8 cm) long from the bottom of the lowest basket to the top of the tab fold, not counting the ring.

Construction is simple. Crochet three identical baskets in joined rounds (flat base, wall, shell stripes, rim). Then make four straps and one hanging tab in rows, sew everything together stitch-to-stitch, and fold the tab over the ring.

Finished Size and Construction

  • Finished size: about 5.5 in (14.0 cm) wide x 20 in (50.8 cm) long
  • Skill level: Easy-Intermediate
  • Terminology: US terms
  • Yarn weight: worsted (#4), cotton or cotton blend
  • Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
  • Number of pieces: 8 (3 baskets, 4 straps, 1 hanging tab)
  • Layout: 1 column of 3 baskets, straps at the left and right sides
  • Basket size: 5.5 in (14.0 cm) diameter x 4.25 in (10.8 cm) tall
  • Size before rim (border): wall 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall after Rnd 18
  • Rim (border) depth: 0.75 in (1.9 cm), 3 rounds

Materials

Choose a smooth, firm worsted cotton or cotton blend. Cotton holds the basket shape, shows the shell texture clearly, and handles bathroom humidity well. Avoid fuzzy or very soft acrylic, because it makes the walls slump.

  • Color A, Burgundy: 100 g, about 170 m
  • Color B, Blush Pink: 60 g, about 102 m

These amounts assume a yarn of about 85 m per 50 g. They include a margin of roughly 15% for gauge swatching and weaving in ends.

Tools:

  • 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
  • Wooden ring, 3 in (7.6 cm) outer diameter
  • 4 locking stitch markers
  • Tapestry needle
  • Scissors
  • Measuring tape
  • Rust-proof pins and a spray bottle for blocking

Abbreviations (US Terms)

  • ch – chain
  • sl st – slip stitch
  • sc – single crochet
  • dc – double crochet
  • inc – 2 sc in the same stitch
  • sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
  • BLO – back loop only
  • st(s) – stitch(es)
  • rnd(s) – round(s)
  • rev sc – reverse single crochet (crab stitch)

Special stitch – Shell: 3 dc in the same stitch.

Special stitch – Reverse sc: Work from left to right (if you are right-handed). Insert the hook in the next stitch to the right, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, and pull through both loops.

Gauge and Checkpoints

Gauge: 14 sc and 16 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm) in sc.

Make one complete basket before starting the others. It is your real gauge test, and every other piece is sized to match it.

Checkpoints:

  • After Rnd 5 (30 sts): base diameter about 2.5 in (6.4 cm)
  • After Rnd 10 (60 sts): base diameter about 5.25 in (13.3 cm)
  • After Rnd 12: wall height 0.5 in (1.3 cm)
  • After Rnd 18: wall height 3.5 in (8.9 cm); each shell round adds about 0.5 in (1.3 cm)
  • After Rnd 21: wall height 4.25 in (10.8 cm), outer diameter 5.5 in (14.0 cm)

If too big: go down 0.5 mm in hook size. If too small: go up 0.5 mm. A roll of toilet paper is about 4.5 in (11.4 cm) across, so it should drop in easily with a little room to spare.

Close-up of burgundy and blush crocheted fabric with alternating stripes, textured stitches, and wooden horns.

Basket (make 3)

Work in joined rounds and do not turn. The join sits at the back of the basket. A ch 1 at the start of a round does not count as a stitch; a ch 3 counts as a dc.

Base

With Color A:

Rnd 1: Make a magic ring, ch 1, 6 sc in ring, join with sl st to first sc. (6 sts)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, inc in each st around, join. (12 sts)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc 1, inc; rep from * 6 times, join. (18 sts)

Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc 2, inc; rep from * 6 times, join. (24 sts)

Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc 3, inc; rep from * 6 times, join. (30 sts)

Rnd 6: Ch 1, sc 4, inc; rep from * 6 times, join. (36 sts)

Rnd 7: Ch 1, sc 5, inc; rep from * 6 times, join. (42 sts)

Rnd 8: Ch 1, sc 6, inc; rep from * 6 times, join. (48 sts)

Rnd 9: Ch 1, sc 7, inc; rep from * 6 times, join. (54 sts)

Rnd 10: Ch 1, sc 8, inc; rep from * 6 times, join. (60 sts)

Checkpoint: the base lies flat and measures about 5.25 in (13.3 cm) across.

Wall

Rnd 11 (turning round): Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, join. (60 sts) This makes a crisp fold where the base meets the wall.

Rnd 12: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc, changing to Color B on the sl st. (60 sts)

At each join, carry the color you are not using loosely up the inside of the wall. Do not cut it.

Shell Stripes

The shell pattern is a 4-stitch repeat: 1 sc + 1 shell (3 dc). Every shell round has 15 repeats, so the count stays at 60 (15 sc + 45 dc) and the wall rises straight.

Rnd 13 (Color B): Ch 1, sc in same st as join, sk 1, shell in next st, sk 1, sc in next st, sk 1, shell in next st, sk 1; rep from * 14 more times, join with sl st to first sc, changing to Color A. (15 shells + 15 sc = 60 sts)

Rnd 14 (Color A): Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in same sc, sk next dc, sc in next dc (center of shell), sk next dc, shell in next sc, sk next dc, sc in next dc, sk next dc; rep from * 14 more times, join with sl st to top of ch-3, changing to Color B. (60 sts)

Rnd 15 (Color B): Sl st in next dc (center of first shell), ch 1, sc in same dc, sk next dc, shell in next sc, sk next dc, sc in next dc (center of shell), sk next dc, shell in next sc, sk next dc; rep from * 14 more times, join with sl st to first sc, changing to Color A. (60 sts)

Rnd 16 (Color A): Rep Rnd 14. (60 sts)

Rnd 17 (Color B): Rep Rnd 15. (60 sts)

Rnd 18 (Color A): Rep Rnd 14, changing to Color B on the final join. Cut Color A. (60 sts)

Each shell sits directly above an sc of the round below, between two shells of the other color. This creates the interlocking staggered scallops.

Checkpoint: the wall is 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall. Continue with the rim in the Border section below.

Straps (make 4)

With Color A, ch 5.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (4 sts)

Rows 2–14: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (4 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail. Each strap measures about 1.1 in (2.8 cm) wide x 3.5 in (8.9 cm) long.

Hanging Tab (make 1)

With Color A, ch 17.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (16 sts)

Rows 2–3: Ch 1, turn, sc across. (16 sts)

Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 12, sc2tog, changing to Color B on the last st. (14 sts)

Row 5 (B): Ch 1, turn, sc across. (14 sts)

Row 6 (B): Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 10, sc2tog. (12 sts)

Row 7 (B): Ch 1, turn, sc across. (12 sts)

Row 8 (B): Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 8, sc2tog, changing to Color A on the last st. (10 sts)

Row 9 (A): Ch 1, turn, sc across. (10 sts)

Row 10: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 6, sc2tog. (8 sts)

Row 11: Ch 1, turn, sc across. (8 sts)

Row 12: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 4, sc2tog. (6 sts)

Rows 13–20: Ch 1, turn, sc across. (6 sts)

Fasten off, leaving an 18 in (45.7 cm) tail. The tab is about 4.6 in (11.7 cm) wide at Row 1, 1.7 in (4.3 cm) wide at the strap, and 5 in (12.7 cm) long.

Make All Pieces

  • Baskets: 3 (Color A for the base, the wall and Rnds 14, 16 and 18; Color B for Rnds 13, 15, 17 and the rim)
  • Straps: 4 (Color A)
  • Hanging tab: 1 (Color A, with a Color B stripe in Rows 5–8)

Layout grid (front view):

        [ RING ]
        [ TAB  ]
[  BASKET 1 (top)    ]
 |strap|      |strap|
[  BASKET 2 (middle) ]
 |strap|      |strap|
[  BASKET 3 (bottom) ]

Border (Basket Rim)

The rim is the border of each basket. Work it on all three baskets before joining.

Border gauge: the same as the base, 14 sc per 4 in (10.2 cm).

For placement, think of the 60-stitch round as two sides: a back half and a front half, with 30 sts each. Count from the join: st 1 is back center, st 16 is the left side, st 31 is front center, and st 46 is the right side.

Rnd 19 (Color B): Ch 1, sc in same st as join (top of ch-3) and in each st around, join. (60 sts: 30 back + 30 front)

Rnd 20: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (60 sts: 30 back + 30 front)

Rnd 21: Ch 1, rev sc in each st around, join. (60 sts: 30 back + 30 front) Fasten off and weave in ends.

Why the math works: every shell round ends with exactly 60 sts (15 sc + 15 shells of 3 dc). The rim works 1 sc into each of those 60 sts with no increases or decreases. That keeps the rim the same circumference as the base, so the top neither flares nor pulls in. The 3 rim rounds add 0.75 in (1.9 cm), bringing the wall from 3.5 in (8.9 cm) to 4.25 in (10.8 cm).

In Rnd 21, place markers at sts 15–18 (left strap zone) and sts 45–48 (right strap zone). Also mark sts 53 and 8, the edges of the 16-st tab zone (sts 53–60 plus 1–8).

Joining

Method: whipstitch with the yarn tails, sewing through both the strap and the basket fabric.

Stitch-to-stitch logic: each strap is 4 sts wide and sits on exactly 4 basket sts (sts 15–18 or 45–48). The tab is 16 sts wide at Row 1 and sits on exactly 16 back sts (sts 53–60 plus 1–8). No stitches are added or skipped, so the straps and tab lie flat.

Straps:

  1. Lay Basket 1 (top) above Basket 2, with the joins facing the back.
  2. Sew the top 3 rows of one strap to the outside of Basket 1’s left side, over Rnds 11–12 and the lower edge of Rnd 13, centered on the column of st 16.
  3. Sew the bottom 3 rows of the same strap to the outside of Basket 2’s rim (Rnds 19–21) over sts 15–18.
  4. Repeat on the right side (the st 46 column above; sts 45–48 below).
  5. Join Basket 2 to Basket 3 the same way.

Each strap overlaps 0.75 in (1.9 cm) at each end, leaving a 2 in (5.1 cm) gap between baskets.

Hanging tab:

  1. Place Rows 1–4 against the outside back of Basket 1, covering Rnds 19–21 and the top of Rnd 18, across sts 53–60 and 1–8. Sew along all edges.
  2. Slip Rows 17–20 through the wooden ring, fold them to the back, and sew Row 20 to the back of Row 13.

Tension advice: sew with firm but relaxed stitches about 0.25 in (0.6 cm) apart. Pulling too tight puckers the rim; sewing too loosely lets the straps twist.

Size checkpoint: hang the holder. The baskets should hang level, the gaps should be 2 in (5.1 cm) on both sides, and the total length should be about 20 in (50.8 cm).

Final Blocking

  1. Lightly mist each basket with water until damp, not soaked.
  2. Stuff each basket with a toilet roll or a rolled towel 4.5 in (11.4 cm) across.
  3. Shape the wall straight and the rim round, and press the base flat.
  4. Pin the straps and tab flat on a towel so they dry straight.
  5. Let everything dry completely, about 24 hours.
  6. Remove the stuffing and rehang.

Final Quality-Control Checklist

  • Each base has 60 sts and lies flat at about 5.25 in (13.3 cm)
  • Each shell round has 15 shells and 15 sc (60 sts)
  • Shells are offset from round to round
  • Each wall is 4.25 in (10.8 cm) tall
  • All four straps have 14 rows and are identical
  • The gaps between baskets are 2 in (5.1 cm) on both sides
  • The tab is centered at the back and the ring fold is secure
  • All ends are woven in on the inside

Troubleshooting

Base cups or ripples: cupping means too few sts or tight tension; rippling means too many sts or loose tension. Recount each round and adjust your hook size.

Shell count is off: check that you skip exactly 1 st on each side of every shell and sc. Count 15 shells before joining.

Shells stack instead of offsetting: in Rnds 14, 16 and 18, the shells go into the sc. In Rnds 15 and 17, the sc goes into the center dc of each shell.

Rim flares: you probably added stitches at the joins. Recount to 60.

Holder hangs crooked: re-sew the straps so both sides overlap exactly 0.75 in (1.9 cm).

Carried yarn shows: keep the carried strand on the inside and leave it slightly loose.

Care

Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, gently reshape, and dry flat. Avoid the dryer, which can shrink cotton and distort the baskets.

Crocheted burgundy and pink toilet paper holder with three pouches hanging on a bathroom wall.

Final Notes

The measurements build on each other. A gauge of 14 sc per 4 in (10.2 cm) gives a 60-stitch base of 5.25 in (13.3 cm). The straight 60-stitch wall reaches 3.5 in (8.9 cm) after the shells and 4.25 in (10.8 cm) after the rim. Three baskets, two 2 in (5.1 cm) gaps and the tab make a holder about 20 in (50.8 cm) long. Check each stage, and the finished holder will hang straight and hold every roll neatly.

Happy crocheting!

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