This hanging holder stacks three snug baskets in a vertical column, and each basket holds a spare roll. The baskets are worked in a soft dusty blue shell stitch that looks like rows of little fans. Each one is finished with a cream scalloped rim and a row of three cream stars across the front.
The palette is calm and suits a bathroom: dusty blue, cream, and the natural wood of the hanging ring. The style sits between cottage and coastal. It’s practical enough for daily use and pretty enough to leave on display.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. Each basket measures 5.25 in (13.3 cm) across and 4 in (10.2 cm) tall. The assembled holder is about 5.5 in (14.0 cm) wide and about 21 in (53.3 cm) long from the top of the ring to the bottom basket.
Construction is simple. Each basket is worked bottom-up in joined rounds: a flat single crochet base, one back-loop round to set the edge, then six rounds of shells. You add a cream rim to each basket, work two long straps lengthwise, and sew on the stars. Last, you whipstitch the straps to the sides of all three baskets and fold them over a wooden ring.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished holder: about 5.5 in (14.0 cm) wide x 21 in (53.3 cm) long, including the ring
- Skill level: Easy-intermediate
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Medium (#4) cotton
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 3 baskets, 2 straps, 9 stars (14 pieces), plus 1 wooden ring
- Layout: 3 baskets stacked in 1 column, 1 in (2.5 cm) gap between baskets
- Basket size: 5.25 in (13.3 cm) diameter x 4 in (10.2 cm) tall
- Basket height before border: 3.25 in (8.3 cm)
- Border (rim) depth: 0.75 in (1.9 cm)
Materials
Use a smooth medium (#4) cotton or cotton blend with about 155 m per 100 g. Cotton holds the basket shape well and copes with bathroom humidity. Avoid fuzzy or very stretchy acrylics, because the shells will sag under the weight of a roll.
- Color A, dusty blue: 160 g (248 m), for bases, bodies, and straps
- Color B, cream: 40 g (62 m), for rims and stars
These quantities include a margin of about 25 percent to cover gauge differences and a test swatch.
Tools:
- 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- 1 wooden ring, 3 in (7.6 cm) outer diameter
- Tapestry needle
- 6 locking stitch markers
- Scissors and a tape measure
- Rust-proof pins for blocking
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- inc – 2 sc in the same stitch
- BLO – back loop only
- MR – magic ring
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- fsc – foundation single crochet
- [ ] – repeat the steps in brackets the number of times stated
Special stitch – Shell: 5 dc worked into the same stitch. In the shell rounds, the “center dc” of a shell is its 3rd dc.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 16 sc and 18 rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm). In the shell rounds, 2 rounds = 1 in (2.5 cm) of height, and 1 shell repeat (6 sts) = 1.5 in (3.8 cm) around.
Make one complete basket before anything else. It is your real gauge test, and every later measurement depends on it.
Checkpoints:
- After Rnd 6 of the base: 36 sts, 2.9 in (7.4 cm) across.
- After Rnd 11: 66 sts, 5.25 in (13.3 cm) across, circumference 16.5 in (41.9 cm).
- After Rnd 18: the body is 3.25 in (8.3 cm) tall above the base.
- After Rnd 20 (rim): the basket is 4 in (10.2 cm) tall.
- Each strap: 20 in (50.8 cm) long x 1.1 in (2.8 cm) wide.
If your base is too big, go down 0.5 mm in hook size. If it’s too small, go up 0.5 mm. Don’t change the stitch counts, because the shell pattern needs exactly 66 sts. A base that ruffles is usually too loose, and one that cups is too tight.
Basket Base (make 3)
With Color A, work in joined rounds. Join each round with a sl st to the first st, then ch 1 (the ch 1 doesn’t count as a st).
Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 3:6 times. (18)
Rnd 4:6 times. (24)
Rnd 5:6 times. (30)
Rnd 6:6 times. (36)
Rnd 7:6 times. (42)
Rnd 8:6 times. (48)
Rnd 9:6 times. (54)
Rnd 10:6 times. (60)
Rnd 11:6 times. (66)
The increases on the even rounds are staggered so the circle stays round instead of turning hexagonal. Check that the base lies flat and measures 5.25 in (13.3 cm) across.
Basket Body (make 3)
Continue with Color A without fastening off.
Rnd 12 (edge round): Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, join. (66)
This round turns the work upward and leaves a neat ridge where the base meets the side.
Rnd 13 (first shell round):Ch 1, sc in first st, 10 times, sk 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, sk 2 sts, join with sl st to first sc. (11 shells and 11 sc = 66 sts)
Rnds 14–18 (offset shell rounds):Sl st in next 3 sts to reach the center dc of the first shell. Ch 1, sc in same st, 10 times, sk 2 dc, 5 dc in next sc, join with sl st to first sc. (11 shells and 11 sc = 66 sts)
Each new shell sits in the sc between two shells of the round below, so the fans interlock in offset rows. After Rnd 18 the body has six rounds of shells and stands 3.25 in (8.3 cm) tall above the base. Fasten off Color A.
Work the cream rim (Rnds 19–20 in the Border section) on each basket now, while the basket is loose and easy to turn. The joining instructions assume the rim is already done.
Stars (make 9)
Use Color B. Leave a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail on each star for sewing.
Small star (make 6):
Rnd 1: 5 sc in MR, join. (5)
Rnd 2:5 times. (5 points)
Fasten off. Size: 1.25 in (3.2 cm) from point to point.
Large star (make 3):
Rnd 1: 5 sc in MR, join. (5)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, inc in each st around, join. (10)
Rnd 3:5 times. (5 points)
Fasten off. Size: 1.75 in (4.4 cm) from point to point. The extra round gives the larger star its visible round center.
Straps (make 2)
Use Color A. The strap is worked lengthwise so the rows form fine ridges along its length.
