The Winterberry Lace Hanging Toilet Paper Holder is a tall, three-tier wall organizer worked in soft sage green cotton. Each tier is a round basket with an open top, a solid base, an airy diamond mesh wall and a scalloped rim. A cranberry-red six-petal flower with two dark green leaves sits on the front of every basket, so the holder looks festive without feeling heavy.
The look is light and lacy. The mesh lets the white rolls show through, and the scallops echo the soft curves of the flowers. Two narrow solid straps run up the sides, join the tiers, and meet in a point with a hanging loop at the top.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished holder is about 5.75 in (14.6 cm) wide at the baskets. It is about 22 in (55.9 cm) tall from the top of the hanging loop to the bottom of the lowest basket. Each basket holds one standard roll.
The construction is simple. You make three identical baskets from the base up, plus two flat side straps, three flowers and six leaves. Then you sew the straps to the sides of the baskets, join them at the top and add a hanging loop worked in place.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 5.75 in (14.6 cm) wide x 22 in (55.9 cm) tall, including the hanging loop
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted weight (#4) cotton
- Hook: 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Number of pieces: 14 (3 baskets, 2 side straps, 3 flowers, 6 leaves). The hanging loop is worked in place.
- Layout: 3 baskets stacked in one vertical column, 0.5 in (1.3 cm) apart
- Piece size: Each basket is 5.75 in (14.6 cm) across and 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall
- Size before border: Each basket is 4 in (10.2 cm) tall before the scallop round
- Border depth: The scallop round adds 0.5 in (1.3 cm)
Materials
Choose a smooth worsted weight cotton or cotton blend. Cotton holds its shape in a damp bathroom and shows the mesh clearly. Avoid fuzzy or very stretchy yarn, because the baskets will sag under the weight of the rolls.
- Sage green (main color): about 175 g (approx. 330 m)
- Cranberry red (flowers): about 10 g (approx. 19 m)
- Dark leaf green (leaves): about 5 g (approx. 10 m)
These amounts include a small extra margin.
Tools:
- 4.5 mm (US 7) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- 4 locking stitch markers
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Spray bottle and a round form about 5.75 in (14.6 cm) across for blocking, such as a large can or container
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- BLO – back loop only
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sp – space
- sk – skip
- rnd – round
Special stitch – Scallop: Work 5 dc in the same stitch.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 16 sc x 16 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm) in sc. In the mesh, 2 ch-5 loops span about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) across.
Make one full basket and measure it before you make the other two. This basket is your test piece.
Checkpoints:
- After Rnd 6 of the base: about 2.875 in (7.3 cm) across
- After Rnd 12 of the base: 5.75 in (14.6 cm) across
- After Rnd 22 (last mesh round): about 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall from the base fold
- After Rnd 24: 4 in (10.2 cm) tall
- After Rnd 25 (scallops): 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall
If the base measures more than 6 in (15.2 cm) across after Rnd 12, go down one hook size. If it measures less than 5.5 in (14.0 cm), go up one hook size. If the base is too small, a standard roll won’t fit. If it’s too large, the tiers will wobble.
Basket (Make 3)
Use sage green.
Base
Rnd 1: Make a magic ring, ch 1, 6 sc in ring, sl st to first sc. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, sl st to first sc. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st around, sl st to first sc. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st around, sl st to first sc. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st around, sl st to first sc. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st around, sl st to first sc. (36 sts)
Checkpoint: about 2.875 in (7.3 cm) across.
Rnds 7–12: Keep going the same way, with 1 more sc between increases in each round. The counts are 42 sts (Rnd 7), 48 (Rnd 8), 54 (Rnd 9), 60 (Rnd 10), 66 (Rnd 11) and 72 (Rnd 12).
Checkpoint: The base lies flat and measures 5.75 in (14.6 cm) across. Its circumference is about 18 in (45.7 cm).
Solid Wall
Rnd 13: Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, sl st to first sc. (72 sts)
This round makes the fold ridge where the base turns up into the wall.
Rnds 14–15: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to first sc. (72 sts)
Place one marker in st 1 and another in st 37 of Rnd 15. These mark the two sides where the straps will go. Sts 2–36 are the front half, and sts 38–72 are the back half.
Diamond Mesh Wall
Rnd 16: Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 5, sk 2 sts, sc in next st 23 times, ch 2, sk 2 sts, dc in first sc. (24 loops)
The ch-2 and dc together form the 24th loop and leave your hook at the center of that loop, ready for the next round. Each loop uses 3 sts of Rnd 15, so 24 loops x 3 sts = 72 sts.
Rnds 17–21: Ch 5, sc in next ch-5 sp 23 times, ch 2, dc in top of joining dc. (24 loops)
Rnd 22: Ch 5, sc in next ch-5 sp 23 times, ch 5, sl st in top of joining dc of Rnd 21. (24 loops)
This last mesh round closes with a full ch-5 loop, so the next round starts on 24 complete loops. You now have 7 mesh rounds (Rnds 16–22), which form an even diamond lattice about 2.75 in (7.0 cm) tall.
Checkpoint: The wall is about 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall from the fold ridge.
Don’t fasten off. Go straight on to the rim rounds in the Border section.
Side Straps (Make 2)
Use sage green.
Foundation: Ch 5.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (4 sts)
Rows 2–82: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (4 sts)
Fasten off and leave a 24 in (61.0 cm) tail for sewing.
Checkpoint: Each strap is 1 in (2.5 cm) wide and 20.5 in (52.1 cm) long. At 4 rows per inch, 82 rows = 20.5 in.
Place markers on the row ends after Row 18, Row 38 and Row 58. These mark the top of each basket.
Flower (Make 3)
Use cranberry red.
Rnd 1: Make a magic ring, ch 1, 12 sc in ring, sl st to first sc. (12 sts)
Rnd 2: (Hdc, 2 dc, hdc) in next st, sl st in next st 6 times. (6 petals)
Each petal has 4 sts, and one sl st sits between each pair of petals: 6 x 4 = 24 petal sts plus 6 sl sts, over the 12 sts of Rnd 1.
Fasten off and leave a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail. Pull the ring tight so the 12-sc center rises a little and looks like a textured button. The flower is about 1.75 in (4.4 cm) across.
Leaves (Make 6)
Use dark leaf green.
Foundation: Ch 7.
Leaf round: Start in the 2nd ch from the hook. Work sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next 2 chs, hdc in next ch, then 3 sc in last ch. Turn to work along the other side of the chain: hdc in next ch, dc in next 2 chs, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, then sl st to first sc. (13 sts)
That gives 5 sts on the first side, 3 sts at the tip and 5 sts on the second side. Fasten off and leave an 8 in (20.3 cm) tail. Each leaf is about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) long.
Make All Pieces
Before you start assembly, check that you have:
- Sage green: 3 baskets, 2 side straps
- Cranberry red: 3 flowers
- Dark leaf green: 6 leaves
Layout grid:
[ hanging loop ]
/ \
strap A strap B
| Basket 1 (top) |
| 0.5 in gap |
| Basket 2 (middle) |
| 0.5 in gap |
| Basket 3 (bottom) |
Each basket gets one flower and two leaves on its front half, centered at st 19.
Joining
Appliqués first: Sew on the flowers and leaves before you attach the straps, while each basket is still easy to handle.
- Center the flower on the front of the mesh at st 19, halfway up the mesh band.
- Tuck one leaf under the lower left of the flower and one under the lower right, angled outward.
- Whipstitch through the flower’s sl sts between the petals and through the center ring, catching the mesh strands behind.
- Sew each leaf down its center line only, so the edges stay loose.
Strap to basket: Use the long tail and whipstitch through both layers.
Lay strap A against the left side of Basket 3 so its 4 sts cover sts 71, 72, 1 and 2. Row 1 of the strap lines up with the fold ridge (Rnd 13). Working upward, sew both long edges of the strap to the basket.
Match the strap rows to the basket height like this:
- Strap Rows 1–3 to the solid wall (Rnds 13–15): 0.75 in (1.9 cm)
- Strap Rows 4–14 to the mesh (Rnds 16–22): 2.75 in (7.0 cm)
- Strap Rows 15–16 to the sc band (Rnds 23–24): 0.5 in (1.3 cm)
- Strap Rows 17–18 to the scallop round (Rnd 25): 0.5 in (1.3 cm)
That’s 3 + 11 + 2 + 2 = 18 rows for 4.5 in (11.4 cm) of basket. In the mesh section, sew into the sc and loop strands that fall in that column, and don’t pull the mesh tight.
Leave strap Rows 19–20 unsewn to make the 0.5 in (1.3 cm) gap. Sew Rows 21–38 to Basket 2 the same way. Leave Rows 39–40 unsewn, then sew Rows 41–58 to Basket 1. Repeat with strap B on the right side, covering sts 35, 36, 37 and 38 of each basket.
Tension: Keep each stitch snug but flat. The strap should lie smoothly against the basket with no puckers.
Top point: Strap Rows 59–82 (24 rows, 6 in / 15.2 cm) rise freely above Basket 1. Bring the two strap tops together. Whipstitch Row 82 of strap A to Row 82 of strap B, stitch to stitch (4 sts to 4 sts).
Hanging loop: Join sage green at the top seam, ch 14 and sl st into the seam to form a ring. Ch 1, work 20 sc into the ring and sl st to first sc. Fasten off and weave in the end. The loop stands about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) tall.
Checkpoint: Hang the holder. It should measure about 22 in (55.9 cm) from the top of the loop to the bottom of Basket 3, and the tiers should sit level.
Border
The border is the scalloped rim on each basket. Work it right after Rnd 22 of the mesh wall.
Border gauge: 16 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm). Each scallop repeat spans 6 sts, or 1.5 in (3.8 cm).
Rnd 23 (conversion round): Ch 1, 3 sc in each ch-5 sp around, sl st to first sc. (72 sts)
Count: 1 sc for each of the 24 loops (24) + 2 extra sc per loop (48) = 72 sts. That’s 36 sts on the front half and 36 sts on the back half.
Rnd 24: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to first sc. (72 sts; 36 per half)
Rnd 25 (scallops): Ch 1, sc in first st, sk 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, sk 2 sts, sc in next st 11 times, sk 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, sk 2 sts, sl st to first sc. (12 scallops; 6 per half)
Fasten off and weave in the end.
Why the math works: Rnd 12 ends with 72 sts. Each mesh loop uses 3 sts, so 72 / 3 = 24 loops. The conversion round puts 3 sc into each loop, so 24 x 3 = 72 sts, the same as before the mesh. Each scallop repeat uses 6 sts, so 72 / 6 = 12 scallops, exactly 6 on each half. Rnd 25 has 12 sc + 60 dc = 72 sts. Because the rim count matches the base count, the top is the same width as the bottom and the walls stand straight.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all remaining ends, especially at the flower and leaf seams.
- Slide each basket over a round form about 5.75 in (14.6 cm) across.
- Spray the basket lightly until it’s evenly damp but not dripping.
- Smooth the mesh so the diamonds are even all the way around.
- Shape each scallop into a soft, even curve.
- Press the petals and leaves flat with your fingers.
- Let the holder dry completely on the forms. Then hang it and smooth the straps flat.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Each basket base measures 5.75 in (14.6 cm) across.
- Each basket is 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall and has 12 even scallops.
- Every mesh round on all three baskets has 24 loops.
- The straps are 1 in (2.5 cm) wide and sewn flat along both edges.
- The gaps between tiers are 0.5 in (1.3 cm).
- The flowers are centered on the front of each basket.
- The holder hangs straight and measures about 22 in (55.9 cm).
- All ends are woven in securely.
Troubleshooting
Base cups or ruffles: Cupping means your tension is tight, and ruffling means it’s loose. Change your hook size and redo the base.
Mesh leans or spirals: Work each sc into the center of the ch-5 loop, not into a chain stitch.
Too few or too many loops: Recount Rnd 16. Each loop must skip exactly 2 sts.
Scallops don’t fit: Count Rnd 24. You need exactly 72 sts for 12 scallops.
Baskets tilt forward: Sew the strap edges more firmly along the full height of each basket.
Flower curls: Pin it flat while blocking, then sew it down again.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap. Lay flat to dry and reshape over the forms. Don’t tumble dry.
Final Notes
Here’s how the measurements connect. A 72-st base measures 5.75 in (14.6 cm) across. Those 72 sts become 24 mesh loops, then 72 sts again and finally 12 scallops, so each basket stands 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall with straight walls. Each strap has 18 rows for each of the three baskets, 2 rows for each of the two gaps and 24 rows for the top point. That makes 82 rows, or 20.5 in (52.1 cm). Add the 1.5 in (3.8 cm) hanging loop and the holder hangs at 22 in (55.9 cm).
Check the first basket carefully and the rest will follow.
Happy crocheting!