This hanging toilet paper holder keeps four spare rolls in a neat vertical column. Each roll sits in its own small round basket, and each basket ends in a lacy crown of eight pointed petals. One long strap runs under the bottom basket, goes up both sides and wraps around a wooden ring at the top, so the holder hangs from a single wall hook.
The sample uses one color only, a soft teal cotton. With a single color, the lace is easy to see: solid sc bases, an eyelet line up the center of each petal and open triangular windows between the petals. The strap is finished with crab stitch, which gives it a firm edge that looks like braided rope.
All instructions use US crochet terms. The finished holder is about 27 in (68.6 cm) from the top of the ring to the bottom of the strap and about 7 in (17.8 cm) wide at the baskets. Each basket is 5 in (12.7 cm) across the base and 3.25 in (8.3 cm) tall to the petal tips. That fits a standard roll about 4.5 in (11.4 cm) wide.
The construction is simple. You crochet four identical baskets in joined rounds and one long flat strap in rows. Then you sew the baskets to the inside face of the strap, work a two-round border around the strap and wrap its ends around the ring.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: about 27 in (68.6 cm) tall x 7 in (17.8 cm) wide, hanging
- Skill level: Easy intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4) cotton
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 5 (4 baskets + 1 strap)
- Layout: 4 baskets stacked in a single vertical column (1 x 4), with basket bases 5.5 in (14.0 cm) apart
- Basket size: 5 in (12.7 cm) base diameter, 3.25 in (8.3 cm) tall
- Strap before border: 60 in (152.4 cm) long x 0.5 in (1.3 cm) wide
- Border depth: 0.25 in (0.6 cm) on each long edge, for a finished strap width of 1 in (2.5 cm)
Materials
Choose a smooth, firm worsted-weight cotton or cotton blend. Cotton keeps the petal points upright and stretches very little under the weight of four rolls. Don’t use soft acrylic for the strap, because it can get longer over time.
- Teal: 200 g / 380 m of worsted cotton (about 100 g / 190 m per ball)
Tools:
- 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- 1 wooden ring, 2.5 in (6.4 cm) diameter
- Tapestry needle
- 8 locking stitch markers
- Measuring tape
- Rust-proof pins and a blocking mat
- Optional: spray starch or fabric stiffener
The yarn quantity includes a margin of about 15 percent for swatching and small differences in tension.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sk – skip
- sp – space
- BLO – back loop only
- RS – right side
- V-st – (dc, ch 2, dc) in the same st
- crab st – reverse single crochet: working from left to right, insert the hook in the next st to the right, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 16 sc and 16 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm) in sc with a 5.0 mm hook.
Make one full basket before you start the others. It works as your gauge test and shows whether a roll fits. Check these points:
- After Rnd 8: the base is 5 in (12.7 cm) across and lies flat.
- After Rnd 12: the wall is 1 in (2.5 cm) tall and stands straight up.
- After Rnd 17: the basket is 3.25 in (8.3 cm) tall from the base to the petal tips.
- Strap after Row 2: the strap is 60 in (152.4 cm) long and 0.5 in (1.3 cm) wide.
If your base is larger than 5 in (12.7 cm), change to a 4.5 mm hook. If it is smaller than 4.75 in (12.1 cm), change to a 5.5 mm hook. A roll should drop in easily with a small gap all around. The strap length matters most, because it sets the spacing between the baskets.
Basket (Make 4)
Join every round with a sl st to the first sc. The beginning ch 1 does not count as a st.
Base
Rnd 1: Make a magic ring, ch 1, 8 sc in the ring. Pull the ring closed. (8 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around. (16 sc)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around. (24 sc)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around. (32 sc)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around. (40 sc)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, *sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around. (48 sc)
Rnd 7: Ch 1, *sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around. (56 sc)
Rnd 8: Ch 1, *sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around. (64 sc)
Checkpoint: the base is 5 in (12.7 cm) across.
Wall
Rnd 9 (turning round): Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around. (64 sc = 64 worked 1 per st + 0 added.) The unused front loops form a ridge, and the work turns upward.
Rnds 10–12: Ch 1, sc in each st around. (64 sc)
On Rnd 10, place a marker in st 1 and another in st 33. These two sts sit exactly opposite each other and mark where the strap attaches.
Checkpoint: the wall is 1 in (2.5 cm) tall.
Crown Lace
The lace uses an 8-st repeat, which gives 8 petals (64 ÷ 8 = 8).
Rnd 13: Ch 1, *sc in next st, ch 3, sk next 3 sts, V-st in next st, ch 3, sk next 3 sts; rep from * around. (8 sc, 8 V-sts, 16 ch-3 sps)
Rnd 14: Ch 1, *sc in next sc, ch 3, dc in next dc, (dc, ch 2, dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, ch 3; rep from * around. (8 sc, 32 dc, 8 ch-2 sps, 16 ch-3 sps)
Rnd 15: Ch 1, *sc in next sc, ch 3, dc in each of next 2 dc, (dc, ch 2, dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in each of next 2 dc, ch 3; rep from * around. (8 sc, 48 dc, 8 ch-2 sps, 16 ch-3 sps)
Rnd 16: Ch 1, *sc in next sc, ch 3, dc in each of next 3 dc, (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in each of next 3 dc, ch 3; rep from * around. (8 sc, 80 dc, 8 ch-3 tip sps, 16 ch-3 side sps)
Each petal now has 10 dc, with an eyelet running up its center. The ch-3 sps on each side of the sc form the open triangular windows between the petals.
Rnd 17 (edging): *Sl st in next sc, 3 sc in next ch-3 sp, sc in each of next 5 dc, (2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc) in ch-3 tip sp, sc in each of next 5 dc, 3 sc in next ch-3 sp; rep from * around. Join with a sl st to the first sl st. (160 sc, 8 sl sts, 8 ch-2 points)
Each repeat has 3 + 5 + 2 + 2 + 5 + 3 = 20 sc. The sl st pulls each valley down and the ch-2 lifts each tip, which gives the crown its pointed shape.
Fasten off and weave in the ends. Checkpoint: the basket is 3.25 in (8.3 cm) tall to the tips.
Strap (Make 1)
Foundation: Ch 241.
Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (240 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (240 sc)
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Checkpoint: the strap is 60 in (152.4 cm) long and 0.5 in (1.3 cm) wide. At 4 sts per inch, every 4 sts equal 1 in (2.5 cm).
Number the sts of Row 2 from 1 to 240, using markers as needed. The strap divides like this:
- Left side: sts 1–108, 27 in (68.6 cm)
- Bottom: sts 109–132, 6 in (15.2 cm)
- Right side: sts 133–240, 27 in (68.6 cm)
Make All Pieces
All pieces use Teal.
- Baskets: 4
- Strap: 1
Layout, seen from the front (B = basket, S = strap):
( ring )
/ \
S S
S [B1] S
S [B2] S
S [B3] S
S [B4] S
\____/
Joining
Hold the strap with the RS facing inward, so the baskets attach to its Row 2 face. Whipstitch each basket’s outer wall to the strap at the marked sts 1 and 33, using a long teal tail.
Stitch-to-stitch logic: each attachment zone is 4 strap sts long, and the basket wall (Rnds 9–12) is 4 rounds tall. Both measure 1 in (2.5 cm), so you sew 1 strap st to 1 wall round, with 2 whipstitches per pair.
Attachment zones, counted on the strap:
| Basket | Left side sts | Right side sts |
|---|---|---|
| B4 (bottom) | 105–108 | 133–136 |
| B3 | 83–86 | 155–158 |
| B2 | 61–64 | 177–180 |
| B1 (top) | 39–42 | 199–202 |
Each zone starts 22 sts (5.5 in / 14.0 cm) above the one below it. The two sides mirror each other: left st 39 and right st 202 each sit 38 sts from their strap end.
For B4, also tack the center of the base to strap sts 120–121, so the bottom basket rests firmly in the U of the strap.
Tension: sew snugly, but don’t pull so hard that the wall puckers. The wall should stay round, and the strap should lie flat against it.
Size checkpoint: the basket bases are 5.5 in (14.0 cm) apart, and each strap end extends 9.5 in (24.1 cm) above B1’s zone.
Border
The border goes around the strap only. The baskets are sewn to the face of the strap, so both long edges stay free.
Border gauge: same as the body, 4 sts per inch, 1 sc per st along each long edge.
Rnd 1: With the RS facing, join yarn in st 1 of Row 2. Ch 1.
- Long side A (Row 2): 2 sc in first st, sc in next 238 sts, 2 sc in last st. (242 sc)
- Short end: 1 sc in each of 2 row ends. (2 sc)
- Long side B (foundation ch): 2 sc in first ch, sc in next 238 ch, 2 sc in last ch. (242 sc)
- Short end: 1 sc in each of 2 row ends. (2 sc)
Join with a sl st to the first sc. Total: 488 sc = (480 worked 1 per st + 4 row-end sc) + 4 extra corner sc.
Each long-side count of 242 already includes its 2 corner sts, so nothing is counted twice.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, crab st in each st around. Join. (488 crab sts)
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Why the math works: the long sides keep exactly 1 st per st (240), so the strap stays the same length and doesn’t ripple. The one extra sc at each corner lets the edging turn the short end without cupping. The crab st round matches Rnd 1 one-to-one. Each long edge gains 0.25 in (0.6 cm), which makes the strap 1 in (2.5 cm) wide.
Attach the ring: pass each strap end through the wooden ring from front to back. Fold back the last 6 sts, which is 1.5 in (3.8 cm), and sew the end securely to the back of the strap. Fold both ends by the same amount so the holder hangs level.
Final Blocking
- Spray the whole holder lightly with water until it is damp but not soaked.
- Put a jar or rolled towel about 4.5 in (11.4 cm) wide inside each basket.
- Pull each petal tip up and pin it so all 8 points stand evenly.
- Optional: mist the crowns with spray starch for crisper points.
- Lay the strap flat and straight, and pin it at 27 in (68.6 cm) per side.
- Let it dry completely, then remove the forms and pins.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Each basket has 8 even petals and a flat 5 in (12.7 cm) base.
- All baskets are 3.25 in (8.3 cm) tall.
- The basket bases are 5.5 in (14.0 cm) apart.
- The strap is 1 in (2.5 cm) wide with a smooth crab st edge.
- Both strap ends are folded 1.5 in (3.8 cm) around the ring.
- The holder hangs straight with all four rolls inside.
- All ends are woven in securely.
Troubleshooting
The base ripples. Your tension is too loose for the increases. Use a smaller hook, or redo Rnds 6–8 more firmly.
The base cups before Rnd 9. Your tension is too tight. Use a larger hook for the base only.
The petals flop outward. Starch the crowns, or use a stiffer cotton.
The roll won’t fit. Add one round of 72 sc (sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st) to the base, then work Rnd 9 as 72 sc. This changes the lace to 9 petals.
The holder hangs crooked. Check that both strap ends are folded by the same 6 sts and that the attachment zones match the table.
The strap stretches. Use a firmer cotton, or work the strap with a 4.5 mm hook.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap. Lay flat to dry, and reshape the baskets over a jar. Remove the wooden ring before washing if you can.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is short and easy to follow. A 64-st base at 5 in (12.7 cm) sets the basket size, and 4 wall rounds add 1 in (2.5 cm) of wall. Five lace rounds add 2.25 in (5.7 cm), for a basket 3.25 in (8.3 cm) tall. The 240-st strap at 4 sts per inch is 60 in (152.4 cm) long, split into two 27 in (68.6 cm) sides and a 6 in (15.2 cm) bottom. Attachment zones every 22 sts space the baskets 5.5 in (14.0 cm) apart, and the 2-round border makes the strap 1 in (2.5 cm) wide.
Check your first basket and your strap length, and everything else will line up.
Happy crocheting!