This hanging holder stacks three soft cream pockets on two corded straps. Each pocket has a bright terracotta tulip with two sage-green leaves on the front. It hangs from a short wooden dowel, and two smaller tulips sit at the very top where the straps loop over the rod.
The look is warm and cottage-style. The cream fabric is dense and looks knitted because it is made with center single crochet, every pocket has a neat rolled rim, and the flowers are raised appliqués. There are only three colors: cream, terracotta red, and sage green. The pattern uses US crochet terms throughout.
Each pocket measures 6 in wide x 4.5 in deep x 3.5 in tall (15.2 x 11.4 x 8.9 cm) and holds one standard roll lying on its side. The finished holder hangs 17.5 in (44.5 cm) below the dowel line and is about 6.75 in (17.1 cm) wide including the straps.
Construction is simple. Each pocket starts as a flat rectangular base worked in rows. The walls are worked in joined rounds, then finished with a two-round rim. The straps are long single crochet cords. Tulips and leaves are worked flat and sewn on, and everything is stitched together at the end.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 17.5 in (44.5 cm) below the dowel; about 6.75 in (17.1 cm) wide
- Skill level: Easy-Intermediate
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 20 (3 pockets, 2 straps, 3 large tulips, 2 small tulips, 6 large leaves, 4 small leaves)
- Layout: 3 pockets stacked vertically, 2 in (5.1 cm) apart
- Pocket size: 6 in x 4.5 in base, 3.5 in tall (15.2 x 11.4 x 8.9 cm)
- Pocket height before rim: 3 in (7.6 cm)
- Rim (border) depth: 0.5 in (1.3 cm)
Materials
Choose a smooth worsted-weight cotton or cotton blend. Cotton keeps its shape in a humid bathroom and shows the center single crochet columns clearly. The quantities below assume about 183 m (200 yd) per 100 g.
- Cream (main color): 300 g, about 549 m
- Terracotta red (tulips): 30 g, about 55 m
- Sage green (leaves): 25 g, about 46 m
All quantities include a margin of roughly 15 percent for gauge checks and sewing tails.
Tools:
- 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- 4 locking stitch markers
- Wooden dowel, 12 in (30.5 cm) long, 0.75 in (1.9 cm) diameter
- Two small wall hooks or nails
- Tape measure, pins, and a spray bottle for blocking
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- BLO – back loop only
- rev sc – reverse single crochet (crab stitch)
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rnd(s) – round(s)
Center single crochet (csc): Insert the hook through the center of the “V” of the stitch below, between its two vertical legs. Yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, and pull through both loops. When you work it in rounds with the right side facing, csc stacks into the vertical knit-look columns you see on the pockets.
Picot point: Ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 16 sts and 16 rows/rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm) in sc and csc. That is 4 sts and 4 rows per 1 in (2.5 cm).
Make one complete pocket first and use it as your swatch. Check these points:
- Base after Row 18: 6 in x 4.5 in (15.2 x 11.4 cm)
- Walls after Rnd 12: 3 in (7.6 cm) tall, measured from the base edge
- Finished pocket after Rnd 14: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall
- Strap: 21 in (53.3 cm) long, unstretched
If your base is too big, go down 0.5 mm in hook size. If it is too small, go up 0.5 mm. Do not change stitch counts, because the strap and assembly math depend on 4 sts per inch. A slightly loose pocket is fine for rolls, but it must not be narrower than 6 in (15.2 cm) or the roll will not fit.
Pocket (make 3)
With cream.
Base
Ch 25.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (24 sts)
Rows 2–18: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (24 sts)
Checkpoint: 6 in x 4.5 in (15.2 x 11.4 cm). Do not fasten off.
Walls
Join each round instead of working in a spiral, and do not turn. The ch 1 at the start of each round does not count as a stitch.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, do not turn. Sc in each of the 24 sts of Row 18. Sc 18 evenly down the row ends (1 per row). Sc in each of the 24 free loops of the foundation chain. Sc 18 up the remaining row ends. Join with sl st to first sc. (84 sts: 24 + 18 + 24 + 18)
Place a marker in the first st of each side. The foundation-chain side is the Front and the Row 18 side is the Back.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc BLO in each st around, join. (84 sts) This turns the edge so the walls stand upright.
Rnds 3–12: Ch 1, csc in each st around, join. (84 sts each round)
Checkpoint: the walls stand 3 in (7.6 cm) tall from the base edge. There are no increases because the walls rise straight up.
Continue straight on with the Rim (see the Border section), then fasten off and weave in ends.
Strap (make 2)
With cream.
Ch 85.
Row 1: Sc in the back bump of the 2nd ch from hook and in each back bump across. (84 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a 24 in (61.0 cm) tail for sewing. The strap curls into a firm, rounded cord.
Checkpoint: 21 in (53.3 cm). At 4 sts per inch, 84 sts = 21 in.
Large Tulip (make 3)
With terracotta red. Worked flat from the base up.
Ch 2.
Row 1: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (3 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in each st. (6 sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, [sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] 3 times. (9 sts)
Rows 4–6: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. (9 sts)
Row 7 (petals): Ch 1, turn, *sl st in next st, (hdc, dc, picot point, dc, hdc) in next st, sl st in next st; repeat from * 2 more times. (3 petals, 9 base sts used)
Fasten off with a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail. The tulip is 2.25 in (5.7 cm) wide and 2 in (5.1 cm) tall, with three rounded, pointed petals and a narrow base.
Small Tulip (make 2)
With terracotta red.
Ch 2.
Row 1: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (3 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in each st. (6 sts)
Rows 3–4: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. (6 sts)
Row 5 (petals): Ch 1, turn, *sl st in next st, (hdc, picot point, hdc) in next st; repeat from * 2 more times. (3 petals, 6 base sts used)
Fasten off with a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail. Size: 1.5 in (3.8 cm) wide, 1.25 in (3.2 cm) tall.
Leaves
With sage green.
Large Leaf (make 6): Ch 8. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next 2 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch (6 sts). In the last ch, work (sc, picot point, sc). Rotate and work along the free loops: sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next 2 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in the first ch. Fasten off with a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail. Length: 1.75 in (4.4 cm), with a natural center vein where the two sides meet.
Small Leaf (make 4): Ch 5. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch (3 sts). In the last ch, work (sc, picot point, sc). Along the free loops: sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in first ch. Fasten off with an 8 in (20.3 cm) tail. Length: 1 in (2.5 cm).
Make All Pieces
| Color | Pieces |
|---|---|
| Cream | 3 pockets, 2 straps |
| Terracotta red | 3 large tulips, 2 small tulips |
| Sage green | 6 large leaves, 4 small leaves |
Layout (front view, top to bottom):
[small tulip] [small tulip]
===== dowel 12 in (30.5 cm) =====
strap | free 3 in (7.6 cm) | strap
| [ POCKET 1 + tulip ] | 3.5 in (8.9 cm)
| gap 2 in (5.1 cm) |
| [ POCKET 2 + tulip ] | 3.5 in (8.9 cm)
| gap 2 in (5.1 cm) |
| [ POCKET 3 + tulip ] | 3.5 in (8.9 cm)
Joining
Sew the appliqués first. Pin one large tulip to the center of each pocket Front, with its base on Rnd 4 and the petals reaching about Rnd 11. Tuck one large leaf under each side of the tulip base, angled outward and upward. Sew around all edges with the matching tails, catching only the outer layer of the wall. Keep the stitches small so the appliqué stays slightly raised.
How the straps line up. Each strap stitch matches one wall round, because both work at 4 per inch. A pocket is 14 rounds tall (Rnds 1–14), so it takes 14 strap sts. Number the strap sts from the bottom end:
- Sts 1–14: sewn to Pocket 3
- Sts 15–22: free (8 sts = 2 in / 5.1 cm gap)
- Sts 23–36: sewn to Pocket 2
- Sts 37–44: free (8 sts = 2 in / 5.1 cm gap)
- Sts 45–58: sewn to Pocket 1
- Sts 59–70: free (12 sts = 3 in / 7.6 cm up to the dowel)
- Sts 71–80: loop over the dowel (10 sts = 2.5 in / 6.4 cm)
- Sts 81–84: folded back and sewn to sts 67–70 (1 in / 2.5 cm overlap)
Check: 14 + 8 + 14 + 8 + 14 + 12 + 10 + 4 = 84 sts.
Method. Lay the strap along the side wall where it meets the Back wall. Whipstitch each strap st to the matching wall round, going through the strap and the outer loops of the corner stitch. Repeat with the second strap on the other side. Pocket 1 goes at the top and Pocket 3 at the bottom, with all Fronts facing the same way.
Tension. Sew firmly, but do not pull the strap shorter than the wall. If the wall puckers, loosen the last few stitches. Keep the free sections at full length so each lower roll clears the pocket above it.
Size checkpoint. With the holder hanging, the distance from the dowel line (st 70) to the bottom of Pocket 3 should be 17.5 in (44.5 cm): 3 + 3.5 + 2 + 3.5 + 2 + 3.5 = 17.5 in.
Top tulips. Slide the dowel through both loops. Sew one small tulip to the top front of each loop, with two small leaves under its base, so it sits just above the rod.
Border: Pocket Rim
Work the rim on each pocket right after Rnd 12 of the walls.
Border gauge: same as the walls, 4 sts per inch. The 2 rim rounds add 0.5 in (1.3 cm).
Rnd 13: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (84 sts: Front 24, side 18, Back 24, side 18)
Rnd 14: Ch 1, rev sc in each st around, join. (84 sts: Front 24, side 18, Back 24, side 18)
Fasten off and weave in.
Why the math works: Rnd 1 picked up exactly 1 st per base st and 1 st per base row, so 84 = 2 x (24 + 18). Each side count already includes its corner stitches. No corner increases are needed because the walls rise straight up. The rim keeps the same 84 sts, so the 24 Front sts still measure 6 in (15.2 cm) and the 18 sts on each side still measure 4.5 in (11.4 cm). The rim neither flares nor pulls in. The reverse single crochet gives it the rounded, rope-like edge.
Final Blocking
- Fill each pocket with a toilet roll or a rolled towel so the walls stand square.
- Spray lightly with water until damp but not soaked.
- Press the corners into crisp right angles with your fingers.
- Gently straighten the straps and lay them flat.
- Shape the tulip petals into points and smooth the leaves.
- Let everything dry completely, at least 12 hours, before hanging.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Each pocket base is 6 in x 4.5 in (15.2 x 11.4 cm).
- Each pocket has 84 sts on every round and is 14 rounds tall.
- Each pocket is 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall.
- Both straps have 84 sts.
- Gaps between pockets are 2 in (5.1 cm) on both straps.
- Pockets hang level, with no tilt from side to side.
- Tulips are centered and the leaves are symmetrical.
- All ends are woven in and hidden.
Troubleshooting
Columns slant in the walls. You are working in a spiral or turning. Join each round and keep the right side facing.
Walls flare outward. Your csc tension is loose. Go down a hook size for Rnds 3–12 only.
Roll will not fit. The pocket is narrower than 6 in (15.2 cm). Remake it with a larger hook; do not add stitches.
Pocket tips forward. Re-sew the strap along all 14 rounds, not just the top few.
Tulip curls. Block it flat and sew all its edges down, not just the center.
Holder hangs crooked. Count the free strap sts on each side; both straps must match exactly.
Care
Remove the dowel, then hand wash in cool water with mild soap. Press the water out in a towel and dry flat, reshaping the pockets around rolls.
Final Notes
The whole design runs on one measurement chain. At 4 sts per inch, the 24 x 18 st base measures 6 x 4.5 in (15.2 x 11.4 cm). Every round has 84 sts, and 14 rounds make a 3.5 in (8.9 cm) pocket. The 84-st strap measures 21 in (53.3 cm) and lines up one stitch per wall round. Check your gauge on the first pocket, and the rest will fall into place.
Happy crocheting!