Burgundy crocheted toilet paper holders with pink flowers hang from wooden dowels on a beige tiled bathroom wall.

Plum Tulip Three-Tier Toilet Paper Holder Crochet Pattern

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This hanging holder stacks three oval baskets in deep plum on two slim side straps that loop over a wooden dowel. Each basket holds one standard toilet paper roll lying on its side. A dusty-pink tulip with sage leaves decorates each basket front, and a tiny tulip sits on top of each strap loop.

The style is cozy cottage. You work dense single crochet in bulky yarn so the baskets hold their shape, and the worsted-weight appliqués add color and fine detail. All terms are US crochet terms.

The finished holder measures about 7.25 in (18.4 cm) wide at the baskets, 5 in (12.7 cm) deep and 20 in (50.8 cm) tall from the top of the loops to the base of the bottom basket.

To build it, you crochet three identical oval baskets from the base up in joined rounds, then two straps in rows. Next you make and sew on the appliqués and whipstitch the straps to the basket ends. Finally you fold the strap tops into loops for the dowel.

Finished Size and Construction

  • Finished size: 7.25 in (18.4 cm) wide × 5 in (12.7 cm) deep × 20 in (50.8 cm) tall
  • Skill level: Easy to intermediate
  • Terminology: US terms
  • Yarn weight: Bulky (#5) for the baskets and straps; worsted (#4) for the appliqués
  • Hooks: 6 mm (J-10) and 4.5 mm (7)
  • Number of pieces: 3 baskets, 2 straps, 3 large tulips, 6 large leaves, 3 stems, 2 mini tulips, 4 mini leaves
  • Layout: 1 column of 3 baskets
  • Piece size (one basket): 6.75 in (17.1 cm) long × 5 in (12.7 cm) deep × 4 in (10.2 cm) tall
  • Size before border: 3.7 in (9.4 cm) tall
  • Border depth: 0.33 in (0.8 cm)

Materials

Choose a smooth bulky cotton or cotton blend. It stays firmer than soft acrylic when the baskets are full.

  • Plum, bulky (#5): 270 g, about 380 m (416 yd)
  • Dusty pink, worsted (#4): 25 g, about 50 m (55 yd)
  • Sage green, worsted (#4): 20 g, about 40 m (44 yd)

Tools:

  • 6 mm (J-10) and 4.5 mm (7) hooks
  • Wooden dowel, 12 in (30.5 cm) long and 0.75 in (1.9 cm) thick
  • Cord for hanging the dowel
  • Stitch markers, tapestry needle, scissors
  • Measuring tape and rust-proof pins

The quantities include a margin of about 20 percent for swatching and seaming.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

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

Special stitch – sc2tog: Insert the hook in the next st and pull up a loop. Insert it in the following st and pull up a loop (3 loops on the hook). Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.

Gauge and Checkpoints

Gauge: 11 sc × 12 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm) in bulky yarn with a 6 mm hook. That is 2.75 sts and 3 rows per inch (2.5 cm).

Make one complete basket first. It is your real gauge test.

  • After Rnd 4: the oval measures about 4.75 × 3 in (12.1 × 7.6 cm).
  • After Rnd 7: the base measures 6.75 × 5 in (17.1 × 12.7 cm) and lies flat.
  • After Rnd 18: the wall is 3.7 in (9.4 cm) tall.
  • After the border: the basket is 4 in (10.2 cm) tall.

If the base is too big or ruffles, go down half a hook size. If it is too small or cups, go up half a hook size.

Close-up of a crocheted pink tulip with green leaves on a dark purple textured crochet fabric.

Basket (Make 3)

Use plum yarn and the 6 mm hook. Work in joined rounds. Begin each round with ch 1 (it does not count as a st) and join with a sl st to the first sc.

The oval has four sections: End A (one narrow end), Front (long side), End B (other narrow end) and Back (long side). All increases go into the ends.

Base

Ch 8.

Rnd 1: Work 3 sc in the 2nd ch from hook (End A). Sc in the next 5 ch (Front). Work 3 sc in the last ch (End B). Working along the underside of the chain, sc in the next 5 ch (Back). Join. (16 sts: 3 / 5 / 3 / 5)

Rnd 2: Inc in each of the next 3 sts, sc 5, inc in each of the next 3 sts, sc 5. (22 sts: 6 / 5 / 6 / 5)

Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] 3 times, sc 5, [sc 1, inc] 3 times, sc 5. (28 sts: 9 / 5 / 9 / 5)

Rnd 4: [Sc 2, inc] 3 times, sc 5, [sc 2, inc] 3 times, sc 5. (34 sts: 12 / 5 / 12 / 5)

Rnd 5: [Sc 3, inc] 3 times, sc 5, [sc 3, inc] 3 times, sc 5. (40 sts: 15 / 5 / 15 / 5)

Rnd 6: [Sc 4, inc] 3 times, sc 5, [sc 4, inc] 3 times, sc 5. (46 sts: 18 / 5 / 18 / 5)

Rnd 7: [Sc 5, inc] 3 times, sc 5, [sc 5, inc] 3 times, sc 5. (52 sts: 21 / 5 / 21 / 5)

Each round adds 6 sts, 3 at each end. That matches the natural growth of flat sc, so the base stays flat.

Walls

Rnd 8: Sc in BLO of each st around. (52 sts) The unused front loops form a crisp fold where the base turns into the wall.

Rnds 9–18: Sc in each st around. (52 sts each round)

Mark the 11th st of End A and the 11th st of End B. These marks show where the straps go. Now work the Border (below) before you join anything.

Straps (Make 2)

Use plum yarn and the 6 mm hook.

Ch 4.

Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. (3 sts)

Rows 2–66: Sc across. Ch 1, turn. (3 sts each row)

Fasten off. Each strap measures 1.1 in (2.8 cm) wide × 22 in (55.9 cm) long. Counting rows from the bottom end:

  • Rows 1–12: bottom basket
  • Rows 13–15: gap
  • Rows 16–27: middle basket
  • Rows 28–30: gap
  • Rows 31–42: top basket
  • Rows 43–54: drop to the dowel
  • Rows 55–66: dowel loop

Appliqués

Use worsted yarn and the 4.5 mm hook. At this size, sc works up at about 4 sts and 4.5 rows per inch (2.5 cm).

Large Tulip (Make 3, pink)

Ch 4.

Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. (3 sts)

Row 2: Inc, sc 1, inc. Ch 1, turn. (5 sts)

Row 3: Inc, sc 3, inc. Ch 1, turn. (7 sts)

Row 4: Sc across. Ch 1, turn. (7 sts)

Row 5: Inc, sc 5, inc. Ch 1, turn. (9 sts)

Rows 6–7: Sc across. Ch 1, turn. (9 sts each row)

Left petal: Sc in the first 3 sts only. Ch 1, turn (3). Sc2tog, sc 1. Ch 1, turn (2). Sc2tog (1). Fasten off.

Center petal: Join pink in the 4th st of Row 7. Sc 3. Ch 1, turn (3). Sc 3. Ch 1, turn (3). Sc2tog, sc 1. Ch 1, turn (2). Sc2tog (1). Fasten off.

Right petal: Join pink in the 7th st of Row 7. Work as for the left petal.

The tulip measures about 2.25 in (5.7 cm) wide × 2.5 in (6.4 cm) tall. The center petal stands one row taller than the side petals.

Large Leaf (Make 6, sage)

Ch 8. Sc in the 2nd ch from hook, hdc 1, dc 2, hdc 1, sc 1, then 3 sc in the last ch. Working along the other side of the chain: sc 1, hdc 1, dc 2, hdc 1, sc 1. Sl st to the first sc. (15 sts: 6 + 3 tip + 6)

The leaf measures 1.75 in (4.4 cm) long. The foundation chain makes a center vein.

Stem (Make 3, sage)

Ch 6 and fasten off. The stem is 1.25 in (3.2 cm) long.

Mini Tulip (Make 2, pink)

Ch 3.

Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in the next ch. Ch 1, turn. (2 sts)

Row 2: Inc in each st. Ch 1, turn. (4 sts)

Row 3: Inc, sc 2, inc. Ch 1, turn. (6 sts)

Row 4: Sc across. Ch 1, turn. (6 sts)

Row 5: Sc2tog, ch 2, sl st in the 2nd ch from hook. Sc2tog, ch 3, sl st in the 2nd and 3rd ch from hook. Sc2tog, ch 2, sl st in the 2nd ch from hook. (3 sts plus 3 points) Fasten off.

The mini tulip measures about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) wide.

Mini Leaf (Make 4, sage)

Ch 5. Sc in the 2nd ch from hook, hdc 1, sc 1, then 3 sc in the last ch. Working along the other side: sc 1, hdc 1, sc 1. Sl st to the first sc. (9 sts) Each mini leaf is about 1 in (2.5 cm) long.

Attaching

Center a large tulip on each basket Front, with its base 1.5 in (3.8 cm) above the turning ridge. Pin the stem below it, then add one leaf on each side, angled up and outward. Sew everything on with matching yarn.

Make All Pieces

  • Plum: 3 baskets, 2 straps
  • Pink: 3 large tulips, 2 mini tulips
  • Sage: 6 large leaves, 3 stems, 4 mini leaves
[loop]              [loop]
  |    Top basket     |
  |   Middle basket   |
  |   Bottom basket   |

Joining

Use plum yarn and a whipstitch.

Lay a strap flat against End A of the bottom basket, centered on the marked 11th st. The strap covers sts 10–12, because 3 strap sts equal 3 basket sts at the same gauge.

Strap Row 1 sits level with Rnd 8, and Row 12 sits level with Border Rnd 1. Rows and rounds match one to one, since both work at 3 per inch (2.5 cm).

Whipstitch the strap’s left edge into the column of st 10, one stitch per row end. Then whipstitch the right edge into st 12. That is 12 row ends to 12 rounds on each side. Tack the top and bottom of the strap.

Repeat on End B with the second strap. Attach the middle basket at Rows 16–27 and the top basket at Rows 31–42.

Keep your tension snug but relaxed, or the basket ends will pucker. Checkpoint: each gap is 1 in (2.5 cm), and from the bottom basket base to Row 54 measures 18 in (45.7 cm).

Loop: Fold Rows 55–66 over the dowel so that Row 66 lies on Row 54, and whipstitch across. This makes a 2 in (5.1 cm) loop. Sew a mini tulip and 2 mini leaves on top of each fold.

Border

Work the border on each basket at the same gauge, 11 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm).

Border Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (52 sts: End A 21 / Front 5 / End B 21 / Back 5)

Border Rnd 2: Sl st loosely in BLO of each st around. (52 sts: 21 / 5 / 21 / 5) Fasten off.

Why the math works: The base finishes at 52 sts, and every wall round keeps 52. Because the border adds no stitches, the rim neither flares nor pulls in. The rim measures 52 ÷ 2.75 = 18.9 in (48.0 cm), which matches the base perimeter. Border Rnd 1 is the 12th wall round, so the basket reaches 4 in (10.2 cm) and lines up with the 12 strap rows.

Final Blocking

  1. Weave in all ends on the wrong side.
  2. Mist each basket lightly with water.
  3. Fill each basket with a roll or a folded towel to set the oval shape.
  4. Pin the petals and leaves flat.
  5. Let everything dry for 12 to 24 hours.
  6. Hang the holder and check that the baskets sit level.

Final Quality-Control Checklist

  • Each base lies flat at 6.75 × 5 in (17.1 × 12.7 cm).
  • Every wall round has 52 sts.
  • Each basket is 4 in (10.2 cm) tall.
  • Each strap is 3 sts × 66 rows.
  • The straps are centered on sts 10–12 of each end.
  • Both gaps measure 1 in (2.5 cm).
  • The tulips are centered and all ends are secure.

Troubleshooting

  • The base ruffles: Recount to 52 sts, then go down a hook size.
  • The base cups: Go up a hook size.
  • The walls flare: Check that you worked Rnd 8 in BLO.
  • A basket tilts: The straps are sewn at different rows. Match the row numbers exactly.
  • The petals curl: Steam them lightly and pin flat to dry.
  • A roll fits too tightly: Add one wall round and 3 strap rows per basket.

Care

Spot clean or hand wash in cool water. Reshape while damp and lay flat to dry.

Three-tier crocheted toilet paper holder with purple baskets adorned with pink crochet flowers in a bathroom.

Final Notes

The measurement chain works like this. A gauge of 11 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm) gives a flat 52-st base measuring 6.75 × 5 in (17.1 × 12.7 cm). Twelve wall-and-border rounds bring each basket to 4 in (10.2 cm), matching 12 strap rows. Three baskets, two 1 in (2.5 cm) gaps and a 4 in (10.2 cm) drop total 18 in (45.7 cm). Add the 2 in (5.1 cm) loop and the holder hangs 20 in (50.8 cm) tall.

Happy crocheting!

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