This wall-hung holder keeps two spare rolls within easy reach. Two crocheted cylinders are sewn against an arched back panel, and a covered ring at the top hangs from a hook or towel bar.
The colors are rust terracotta and soft cream. Cream fan shells alternate with rust V-mesh, and the fans stack in an offset brick pattern that looks a bit like fish scales. Solid rust bands frame each cylinder, and a rust border outlines the dome-shaped panel.
The finished holder is 10.25 in (26.0 cm) wide and 12 in (30.5 cm) tall, or about 15 in (38.1 cm) tall with the hanger. Each cylinder is 4.75 in (12.1 cm) across and 7 in (17.8 cm) tall, which fits a standard roll about 4.25 in (10.8 cm) wide. All terms are US.
Each cylinder starts as a flat circle and is worked upward in joined rounds. The panel is worked flat in rows, steps in to form the arch, and gets a two-round border. Last, you cover the ring, add the tab, and sew all the pieces together.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 10.25 in x 12 in (26.0 cm x 30.5 cm); about 15 in (38.1 cm) tall with the hanger
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: #4 worsted cotton
- Hook: 5 mm (US H-8)
- Number of pieces: 4 (2 cylinders, 1 back panel, 1 ring with tab)
- Layout: cylinders side by side, touching, on the lower panel
- Cylinder size: 4.75 in (12.1 cm) diameter x 7 in (17.8 cm) tall
- Panel size before border: 9.25 in x 11 in (23.5 cm x 27.9 cm)
- Border depth: about 0.5 in (1.3 cm), 2 rounds
Materials
Use a smooth, firm worsted-weight cotton or cotton blend. Cotton holds its shape in a damp bathroom and keeps the shells crisp. Look for a yarn with about 170 m per 100 g.
- Rust (Color A): 120 g, about 204 m
- Cream (Color B): 60 g, about 102 m
These amounts include a margin of about 25 percent for swatching and sewing.
Tools:
– 5 mm (US H-8) hook
– 1.5 in (3.8 cm) plastic or wooden ring
– Tapestry needle
– Stitch markers
– Pins or clips
– Measuring tape
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- sk: skip
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sp: space
- BLO: back loop only
- MR: magic ring
- inc: 2 sc in the same st
Shell: 5 dc in the same st.
Half shell: 3 dc in the same st at a row edge. The beginning ch-3 counts as 1 of these dc.
Center dc: the 3rd dc of a shell.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Single crochet: 16 sc x 18 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm).
Fan pattern: one 6-st repeat = 1.5 in (3.8 cm) wide. One shell row plus one mesh row = 1.25 in (3.2 cm) tall.
Both gauges work out to 4 sts per inch, so the pattern and the border fit together.
Make one cylinder first as your test piece and check these measurements:
- Base after Rnd 5 (30 sts): about 2.4 in (6.1 cm) across
- Base after Rnd 10 (60 sts): 4.75 in (12.1 cm) across
- After Rnd 22: about 6.3 in (16.0 cm) tall from the base fold
- Finished cylinder: 7 in (17.8 cm) tall
If the base is too big, go down 0.5 mm. If it’s too small, go up 0.5 mm. If the width is right but the height is off, check your dc height and pull up every dc loop to the same height.
Cylinders (Make 2)
Base (Color A)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. Join with sl st to the first sc. (6)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, inc in each st around. Join. (12)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in next st, inc, repeat around. Join. (18)
Rnds 4–10: Ch 1, sc in next X sts, inc, repeat around, join. X is 2 on Rnd 4 and goes up by 1 each round, to 8 on Rnd 10. Totals: 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60.
The base should lie flat at 4.75 in (12.1 cm) across.
Walls
Rnd 11: Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around. Join. (60) This makes a neat ridge where the wall turns upward.
Rnds 12–13: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (60) Fasten off A.
Rnd 14 (B, first shell round): Join B in any st. Ch 1, sc in the same st, sk 2, shell in next st, sk 2, sc in next st, repeat 8 more times, sk 2, shell in next st, sk 2. Join to the first sc. (10 shells + 10 sc = 60 sts) Fasten off.
Rnd 15 (A, mesh round): Join A in the center dc of any shell. Ch 1, sc in the same st, ch 2, dc in next sc, ch 2, sc in center dc of next shell, ch 2, dc in next sc, ch 2, repeat 8 more times. Join to the first sc. (10 sc + 10 dc + 20 ch-2 sps = 60 sts) Fasten off.
Rnd 16 (B, offset shell round): Join B in any dc. Ch 3 (counts as dc), 4 dc in the same st, sc in next sc, shell in next dc, sc in next sc, repeat 8 more times, skipping all ch-2 sps. Join to the top of the ch-3. (10 shells + 10 sc = 60 sts) Each shell now sits between two shells of the round below. Fasten off.
Rnds 17–22: Repeat Rnds 15 and 16 three more times. Join each new color in a different spot so the joins don’t stack. That gives 5 cream shell rounds and 4 rust mesh rounds.
Top Rim
Rnd 23 (A): Join A in the first dc of any shell. Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (50 dc + 10 sc worked 1 per st, + 0 added = 60)
Rnds 24–25: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (60) Fasten off and weave in the ends on the inside.
Total wall height is 7 in (17.8 cm): about 0.7 in (1.8 cm) of sc at the bottom, 5.6 in (14.2 cm) of fan pattern and 0.7 in (1.8 cm) of sc at the top.
Back Panel
Work every row with the right side (RS) facing. Fasten off at the end of each row and rejoin at the right edge. The border covers the tails along the sides.
Row 1 (A): Ch 38. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (37)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (37) Fasten off.
Row 3 (B, Shell Row A): Join B in the first st. Ch 1, sc in the same st, sk 2, shell in next st, sk 2, sc in next st, repeat 5 more times. (6 shells + 7 sc = 37)
Row 4 (A, Mesh Row 1): Join A in the first sc. Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 2), sc in center dc of next shell, ch 2, dc in next sc, ch 2, sc in center dc of next shell, ch 2, repeat 4 more times, dc in last sc. (7 dc + 6 sc + 12 ch-2 sps = 37)
Row 5 (B, Shell Row B): Join B in the 3rd ch of the beginning ch-5. Ch 3, 2 dc in the same st, sc in next sc, shell in next dc, sc in next sc, repeat 4 more times, 3 dc in last dc. (2 half shells + 5 shells + 6 sc = 37)
Row 6 (A, Mesh Row 2): Join A in the top of the ch-3. Ch 1, sc in the same st, ch 2, dc in next sc, ch 2, sc in center dc of next shell, ch 2, dc in next sc, ch 2, repeat 4 more times, sc in last dc. (7 sc + 6 dc + 12 ch-2 sps = 37)
Row 7 (B): Join B in the first sc. Ch 1, sc in the same st, shell in next dc, sc in next sc, repeat 5 more times. (6 shells + 7 sc = 37)
Rows 8–12: Work Rows 4–7 once, then Row 4 once more. (37) Checkpoint: 9.25 in (23.5 cm) wide and about 6.75 in (17.1 cm) tall.
Arch Shaping
Each shaped row leaves 3 sts unworked at each end. This makes a stepped dome that the border smooths into a curve.
Row 13 (B): Skip the first dc and ch-2 sp, and join B in the first sc. Ch 1, sc in the same st, shell in next dc, sc in next sc, repeat 4 more times. (5 shells + 6 sc = 31)
Row 14 (A): Join A in the first sc. Ch 5, sc in center dc of next shell, ch 2, dc in next sc, ch 2, sc in center dc of next shell, ch 2, repeat 3 more times, dc in last sc. (6 dc + 5 sc + 10 ch-2 sps = 31)
Row 15 (B): Skip the ch-5 and join B in the first sc. Ch 1, sc in the same st, shell in next dc, sc in next sc, repeat 3 more times. (4 shells + 5 sc = 25)
Row 16 (A): Work as Row 14, repeating from * 2 more times. (5 dc + 4 sc + 8 ch-2 sps = 25)
Row 17 (B): Work as Row 15, repeating from * 2 more times. (3 shells + 4 sc = 19)
Row 18 (A): Work as Row 14, repeating from * 1 more time. (4 dc + 3 sc + 6 ch-2 sps = 19)
Row 19 (B): Work as Row 15, repeating from * 1 more time. (2 shells + 3 sc = 13) Fasten off.
The arch adds about 4.4 in (11.2 cm), so the panel is about 11 in (27.9 cm) tall before the border.
Ring Hanger and Tab
Ring (A): Join A to the ring and work 36 snug sc over it. Join. (36) Fasten off. The covered ring is about 2.25 in (5.7 cm) across.
Tab Row 1 (B): Join B in any sc of the ring. Ch 1, sc in the same st and the next 4 sts. (5)
Rows 2–8: Ch 1, turn, sc in BLO across. (5) Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail.
The tab is 1.25 in (3.2 cm) wide and about 1.75 in (4.4 cm) long, with ridges across it.
Make All Pieces
- Color A: 2 cylinder bases, rims and mesh rounds; panel Rows 1–2, the mesh rows and the border; ring cover
- Color B: cylinder shell rounds, panel shell rows and tab
[ Ring + Tab ]
[ Arched Back Panel (dome) ]
[ Panel, lower section ]
[ Cylinder 1 ][ Cylinder 2 ]
Border (Back Panel)
Border gauge: 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm). This matches the pattern’s 4 sts per inch.
Rnd 1 (A): With RS facing, join A in the first foundation ch at the bottom left and ch 1.
– Bottom: 3 sc in the same ch, sc in the next 35 ch, 3 sc in the last ch (41 sc, corners included).
– Right side: 27 sc up to the top of Row 12. Work 1 sc per row for Rows 1–2, then 5 sc for every 2 rows of Rows 3–12.
– Arch: 3 sc per row end and step for Rows 13–19 (21 sc), 13 sc across Row 19, then 21 sc down the other stepped edge (55 sc in all).
– Left side: 27 sc.
– Join. (41 + 27 + 55 + 27 = 150)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each st. Work 3 sc in the center sc of each bottom corner. Across the 55 arch sts, work sc in next 17, inc 3 times, then sc in the last st. Join. (150 worked 1 per st, + 4 at the corners + 3 on the arch = 157) Fasten off.
Why the math works: 37 sts at 4 per inch is 9.25 in (23.5 cm), the same as the panel width. The straight sides are about 6.75 in (17.1 cm) tall, so 27 sc fit them exactly. Each stepped side of the arch is about 5.25 in (13.3 cm) on the diagonal, which takes 21 sc. On Rnd 2 the outer curve is about 0.75 in (1.9 cm) longer, and the 3 extra sc fill that. Two border rounds add 0.5 in (1.3 cm) on each edge, so the panel finishes at 10.25 in x 12 in (26.0 cm x 30.5 cm).
Joining
Method: whipstitch with Color A.
- Lay the panel RS up and mark its vertical center.
- Place the cylinders so they touch at the center line, with their base folds level with the bottom border. Each outer side should sit about 0.4 in (1.0 cm) inside the panel edge, and each top rim should sit just below the start of the arch.
- Sew each cylinder to the panel along two vertical lines 5 sts (1.25 in / 3.2 cm) apart. Each whipstitch goes through one cylinder st and the panel st behind it. Use 2 stitches per sc round and 3 per pattern round, for 39 per line. Rounds and rows share the same gauge, so they line up without easing.
- Sew 5 sts of each base ridge to the bottom border.
- Tack the cylinders together at the bottom band, the middle and the rim.
- Center the tab so it overlaps the front of the arch by 0.75 in (1.9 cm), and sew all 4 edges of the overlap.
Tension: Keep the seams snug but not tight, or the panel will pucker.
Size checkpoint: The holder should be 10.25 in (26.0 cm) wide, 12 in (30.5 cm) tall to the top of the arch and about 15 in (38.1 cm) tall to the top of the ring.
Final Blocking
- Before joining, mist the panel and pin it to 10.25 in x 12 in (26.0 cm x 30.5 cm).
- Use a pin to open each mesh space and fan out each shell.
- Fill each cylinder with a rolled towel and mist it.
- Let everything dry completely.
- After joining, steam the seams lightly. Don’t press them.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Every cylinder round has 60 sts, and every shell round has 10 shells.
- The shells sit in an offset brick pattern.
- The bases lie flat at 4.75 in (12.1 cm).
- The panel border lies flat, with no ripples on the arch.
- The cylinders are level and touch at the center.
- The ring hangs straight.
- All ends are woven in on the inside.
Troubleshooting
- The base cups: go up a hook size for the base.
- The base ruffles: go down 0.5 mm.
- The shells drift out of line: each shell goes into a dc and each sc into an sc. Recount to 10 of each.
- The panel sides ripple: work 2 sc per pattern row instead of 2.5.
- The arch looks pointy: add 1 sc at each step corner on Rnd 1.
- The holder sags: add a third whipstitch line down the center of each cylinder.
Care
Hand wash in cool water. Lay flat to dry with a towel rolled inside each cylinder, and reshape while damp.
Final Notes
All the sizing comes from one gauge of 4 sts per inch. Ten shells make 60 sts, which gives a 15 in (38.1 cm) circumference and a 4.75 in (12.1 cm) cylinder. Thirty-seven sts make a 9.25 in (23.5 cm) panel, and the border brings it to 10.25 in (26.0 cm), enough room for the two cylinders’ 9.5 in (24.1 cm). If your test cylinder matches the checkpoints, the rest of the pieces will fit together.
Happy crocheting!