This hanging holder stacks three small baskets in a column so three spare toilet rolls stay tidy and close at hand. Each basket has a solid round base, a short solid band, an open lattice of offset V-stitches, and a soft yellow scalloped rim. A small yellow five-point star sits on the front of each basket.
The colors are soft lavender for the baskets and straps and pale buttery yellow for the rims and stars. With pine sprigs nearby it suits the holidays, and it works in a bathroom all year.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. Each basket is 4.75 in (12.1 cm) across and 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall. The holder hangs about 19 in (48.3 cm) from the bottom of the lowest basket to the top of the straps, or about 21 in (53.3 cm) with the 2 in (5.1 cm) wooden ring.
To make it, crochet three identical baskets in joined rounds from the base up. Add a yellow border to each basket and make three stars. Then make two flat straps, wrap their top ends around a wooden ring, and sew the baskets to the straps with even gaps between them.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: about 5.25 in (13.3 cm) wide x 19 in (48.3 cm) long, plus the 2 in (5.1 cm) ring
- Skill level: Easy intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4) cotton or cotton blend
- Hook: US 7 (4.5 mm)
- Number of pieces: 8 (3 baskets, 3 stars, 2 straps)
- Layout: 1 column of 3 baskets, with a strap on the left and right sides
- Piece size: each basket is 4.75 in (12.1 cm) across x 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall
- Size before border: each basket body is 4.1 in (10.4 cm) tall
- Border depth: 0.4 in (1.0 cm)
Materials
Use a smooth worsted-weight cotton. Cotton keeps its shape and holds the lattice open, while acrylic tends to sag under the weight of a roll.
- Lavender (Color A): 150 g, about 240 m, for the baskets and straps
- Pale yellow (Color B): 40 g, about 64 m, for the borders and stars
Both amounts include about 25 percent extra for your gauge swatch and small differences in tension.
Tools:
- US 7 (4.5 mm) crochet hook
- 1 wooden ring, 2 in (5.1 cm) across
- Tapestry needle
- 4 to 6 locking stitch markers
- Rust-proof pins
- Tape measure
- Scissors
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- fsc: foundation single crochet
- inc: 2 sc in the same stitch
- BLO: back loop only
- MR: magic ring
- sp: space
- sk: skip
- st(s): stitch(es)
V-stitch (V): (dc, ch 1, dc) in the stitch or space given.
Gap: the space between the second dc of one V and the first dc of the next V.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 16 sc x 18 rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm). In the lattice, 2 V-stitch rounds = 1 in (2.5 cm) tall.
Finish one whole basket first and check it at each stage before you make the other two.
- After Round 5 (30 sts): the base measures about 2.4 in (6.1 cm) across.
- After Round 10 (60 sts): the base measures 4.75 in (12.1 cm) across, with a circumference of 15 in (38.1 cm).
- After Round 19: the lattice section is 3 in (7.6 cm) tall.
- After Round 21: the body is 4.1 in (10.4 cm) tall.
- After the border: the basket is 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall.
If the base is too big, go down half a hook size. If it’s too small, go up half a size. If the base cups, your increases may be too tight, so loosen the last loop of each inc.
Basket (Make 3)
Use Color A. Join each round with a sl st to the first st. Start each sc round with ch 1, which does not count as a stitch. Mark the first st of each round.
Base
Round 1: MR, 6 sc in ring, join. (6)
Round 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Round 3: Sc in next st, inc in next st 6 times. (18)
Round 4: Sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st 6 times. (24)
Round 5: Sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st 6 times. (30)
Round 6: Sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st 6 times. (36)
Round 7: Sc in next 5 sts, inc in next st 6 times. (42)
Round 8: Sc in next 6 sts, inc in next st 6 times. (48)
Round 9: Sc in next 7 sts, inc in next st 6 times. (54)
Round 10: Sc in next 8 sts, inc in next st 6 times. (60)
To keep the base round instead of hexagonal, shift the first inc of Rounds 6 to 10 by one or two sts each round. The count does not change.
Solid Wall
Round 11 (turning round): Sc in BLO of each st around. (60 + 0 = 60) The unused front loops form a ridge, so the wall turns up sharply.
Rounds 12–13: Sc in each st around. (60)
Lattice
Round 14 (conversion round): Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), dc in the same st as the join. Sk 2 sts, V in next st 19 times, sk the last 2 sts, then join to the 3rd ch of the beginning ch-4. (20 V: 40 dc + 20 ch-1 sps)
Each V covers 3 sts of Round 13, so 20 x 3 = 60.
Round 15: Sl st in next ch-1 sp, sl st in next dc, sl st in next gap. Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), dc in the same gap. V in next gap 19 times, join. (20 V)
Each new V sits between two Vs of the round below, so the stitches cross into diamonds.
Rounds 16–19: Repeat Round 15. (20 V in each round)
The lattice section should now be 3 in (7.6 cm) tall.
Top Band
Round 20 (conversion round): Ch 1, sc in each dc and each ch-1 sp around. Do not work into the gaps. (20 x 3 = 60, + 0 = 60)
Round 21: Sc in each st around. Fasten off Color A. (60)
The body is now 4.1 in (10.4 cm) tall. Mark st 1 and st 31. These are the strap positions. They sit exactly opposite each other, with 30 sts on each half.
Star (Make 3)
Use Color B.
Round 1: MR, ch 1, 10 sc in ring, join. (10)
Round 2: Ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sk next sc of Round 1, sl st in next sc 5 times. (5 points)
Each point uses 2 sts of Round 1, so 5 x 2 = 10. Fasten off and leave a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail. Pull the ring closed. The star measures about 1.75 in (4.4 cm) from point to point.
Strap (Make 2)
Use Color A.
Row 1: Fsc 84. (84)
Rows 2–3: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (84)
Fasten off and leave a long tail. Each strap is 21 in (53.3 cm) long and about 0.7 in (1.8 cm) wide. The joining positions depend on 4 sts per inch. If your strap is not 21 in (53.3 cm) long, change your hook size and make it again.
Make All Pieces
- Color A: 3 basket bodies (Rounds 1–21), 2 straps
- Color B: 3 basket borders (see Border below), 3 stars
Work the borders before you join anything. The layout below is measured up from the bottom end of each strap:
( RING )
strap sts 81–84 wrap the ring
sts 65–80 (4 in / 10.2 cm) free, angled
| BASKET 1 (top) | sts 47–64
| gap 1.25 in / 3.2 cm | sts 42–46
| BASKET 2 (middle) | sts 24–41
| gap 1.25 in / 3.2 cm | sts 19–23
| BASKET 3 (bottom) | sts 1–18
left strap right strap
At 4 sts per inch, each basket takes 18 sts for 4.5 in (11.4 cm) and each gap takes 5 sts for 1.25 in (3.2 cm). That gives 18 + 5 + 18 + 5 + 18 = 64 sts, or 16 in (40.6 cm). Add 16 free sts (4 in / 10.2 cm) and 4 wrap sts (1 in / 2.5 cm): 64 + 16 + 4 = 84.
Joining
Stars: The front center of each basket is st 16, halfway between the strap marks. Center a star over lattice Rounds 15–18 with one point straight up. Using Color B, whipstitch the center ring and the base of each point to the dc posts behind them. Sew loosely, because tight stitches pull the lattice in.
Straps to baskets: Lay a strap flat against the outside wall at st 1. Pin strap st 1 level with the bottom edge of the base and strap st 18 level with the top of Border Round 1. Using Color A, whipstitch both long edges of the strap to the wall, catching one sc or dc post every 0.25 in (0.6 cm). That’s about one stitch for each strap stitch. Attach the second strap the same way at st 31.
Join Basket 3 at strap sts 1–18, Basket 2 at sts 24–41, and Basket 1 at sts 47–64. Leave strap sts 19–23 and 42–46 unsewn to form the gaps.
Ring: Pass sts 81–84 of each strap through the ring and fold them back over sts 77–80. The fold covers 0.5 in (1.3 cm). Sew it down securely.
Tension check: Hang the holder empty. Each basket should hang level and each gap should be 1.25 in (3.2 cm). If a basket tilts, make sure both straps meet the wall at the same round.
Size checkpoint: The holder measures about 19 in (48.3 cm) from the bottom of the straps to the top of the peak, and about 5.25 in (13.3 cm) wide.
Border
Work this border on each basket body after Round 21. Use Color B.
Border gauge: 4 sts per inch, the same as the body. Each scallop uses 5 sts, or 1.25 in (3.2 cm) of rim. Counts are given for each half: the front half (sts 1–30) and the back half (sts 31–60).
Border Round 1: Join Color B in st 1. Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (30 front + 30 back = 60)
Border Round 2: Ch 1. Sc in next st, sk 1, 5 hdc in next st, sk 1, sc in next st 12 times, join. Fasten off. (6 scallops front + 6 scallops back = 12 scallops: 60 hdc + 24 sc = 84 sts)
Why the math works: 60 divides evenly by 5, so you get 12 full scallops with no partial repeat. Each 30-st half holds exactly 6 scallops. Repeats begin at st 1 and st 31, so both straps land on an sc valley instead of a shell, and the strap tops sit flat. The border adds 0.4 in (1.0 cm), which brings each basket to 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends through stitches of the same color.
- Soak the holder in lukewarm water and press out the extra water. Do not wring it.
- Roll it in a towel to remove more water.
- Put a toilet roll wrapped in a plastic bag inside each basket so the walls dry round and upright.
- Open each lattice diamond with your fingers. Pin the scallops so they flare evenly, and pin each star flat.
- Lay the holder flat with the straps straight at 19 in (48.3 cm). Let it dry completely, then remove the rolls and pins.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- 60 sts at Rounds 10, 11, 20, 21 and Border Round 1
- 20 V-stitches in each lattice round
- 12 scallops on each basket, 6 on each half
- Each basket is 4.75 in (12.1 cm) across and 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall
- Each strap has 84 sts and measures 21 in (53.3 cm)
- Gaps between baskets measure 1.25 in (3.2 cm)
- Stars are centered at st 16 with one point up
- The holder hangs level and is 19 in (48.3 cm) long without the ring
Troubleshooting
The base cups or ruffles: If it cups, loosen your increases or go up a hook size. If it ruffles, go down a hook size.
The lattice makes columns instead of diamonds: You worked into the ch-1 sps. In Rounds 15–19, every V goes into a gap.
The V count drifts: Count the gaps before each round. There should be 20.
The scallops look crowded: Use hdc, not dc, and skip one stitch on each side of every shell.
The baskets are loose around the rolls: Go down half a hook size and check the base again at Round 10.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap. Dry flat with rolls inside the baskets so they keep their shape, and do not tumble dry.
Final Notes
Each measurement depends on the one before it. A gauge of 16 sc per 4 in (10.2 cm) gives a 60-st base that is 4.75 in (12.1 cm) across. Three solid rounds, six 20-V lattice rounds and two sc rounds make a body 4.1 in (10.4 cm) tall. The 12-scallop border brings each basket to 4.5 in (11.4 cm). Each 84-st strap holds three baskets and two 1.25 in (3.2 cm) gaps over 16 in (40.6 cm). It also has 4 in (10.2 cm) of free strap and 1 in (2.5 cm) wrapped around the ring, for a finished length of 19 in (48.3 cm). Check each measurement before moving on and the holder will hang straight.
Happy crocheting!