Openwork crown (color A)
Rnd 17: Sc in each st around, then sl st to the first sc. (60)
Rnd 18: Ch 5 (this counts as the first dtr), ch 1, skip the next st. Dtr in the next st, ch 1, skip the next st. Repeat from * 28 more times, then sl st to the 4th ch of the beginning ch-5.
Count: 30 dtr and 30 ch-1 sps, which is 60 positions.
Rnd 19: Ch 1. Sc in the top of the ch-5, sc in the next ch-1 sp. Sc in the next dtr, sc in the next ch-1 sp. Repeat around, then sl st to the first sc.
Count: 30 sc in the dtr plus 30 sc in the ch-1 sps = 60.
Rnd 20: Sl st in the first st. Skip 2 sts, 5 dc in the next st, skip 2 sts, sl st in the next st. Repeat from * 10 times; the last sl st lands in the first sl st.
Count: 10 scallops of 5 dc each. Each repeat uses 6 sts, and 10 x 6 = 60.
Fasten off and leave an 18 in (45.7 cm) tail of color A.
Checkpoint: the pocket is about 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall from the base to the tips of the scallops.
Hanging Strap (make 1)
Use color A.
Row 1: Ch 41, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (40)
Rows 2–3: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (40)
Fasten off and leave a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail. The strap is 10 in (25.4 cm) long and about 0.67 in (1.7 cm) wide.
Make All Pieces
- Color A: 1 backing panel, 1 strap, and the Rnds 17–20 crown on all 3 pockets
- Color B: Rnds 1–16 (base and sides) on all 3 pockets
Layout (front view):
Joining
Method: Whipstitch with color A and a tapestry needle. Each pocket is sewn on with two horizontal seams, one at the bottom and one at the rim.
Stitch-to-stitch logic: The back third of a pocket is 20 of its 60 stitches. That matches the 20 center stitches you marked on the panel, so every pocket stitch is sewn to exactly one panel stitch.
- Bottom seam. Pick 20 consecutive unused front loops of Rnd 10 and center them over the marked 20 sts of the pocket’s lower row (Row 4, 28 or 52). Whipstitch them together 1 to 1. Row 4 has 22 sts, so 1 st stays free on each side; Rows 28 and 52 have 24 sts, so 2 sts stay free on each side.
- Rim seam. Find the 20 Rnd 19 sts directly above the bottom seam. Lay them flat across the marked 20 sts of the upper row (Row 18, 42 or 66). Whipstitch them 1 to 1 through the back loops of Rnd 19, so the scallops on the back stay upright against the panel.
- Tack the sides. Make 2 or 3 small tacking stitches up each side of the flattened back, between the two seams.
Tension: Pull each stitch just snug. If you pull too hard, the panel puckers. If you sew too loosely, the pocket sags when the roll goes in.
Size checkpoint: the bottom and rim seams on each pocket are 14 rows apart, which is about 3.1 in (7.9 cm). That matches the pocket’s height from the fold line to Rnd 19. The panel should still lie flat and measure 6 in (15.2 cm) across each lobe.
Border
Border gauge: 4 sc per 1 in (2.5 cm), the same as the panel stitch gauge. The border goes around the panel only; the pockets are not part of its stitch count.
Rnd 1 (color A): Join color A in the first st of Row 72. Then work:
- Top: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in the next 14 sts, 2 sc in the last st. (18)
- First side: Working into the row ends, sc in each of the next 8 row ends, skip 1 row end. Repeat from * 8 times. (64)
- Bottom: Working into the foundation loops, 2 sc in the first loop, sc in the next 14, 2 sc in the last loop. (18)
- Second side: Work the same as the first side. (64)
- Sl st to the first sc.
Count: 160 sts worked 1 per stitch (16 + 64 + 16 + 64) plus 4 extra corner sts = 164.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, rev sc in each st around, then sl st to the first st. (164) Fasten off.
Why the math works: Each side has 72 row ends over 16 in (40.6 cm), which is 4.5 per in. If you put 1 sc in every row end, the edge would ripple. Skipping 1 row end in every 9 gives 64 sts, which is exactly 4 per in, so the edge matches the sc gauge and stays flat. The top and bottom already sit at 4 sts per in, and the 4 extra corner stitches let the curved ends turn smoothly. The two rounds add about 0.4 in (1.0 cm) on every side, so 6 in becomes 6.8 in (17.3 cm) and 16 in becomes 16.8 in (42.7 cm).
Attach the strap: Overlap each strap end 1 in (2.5 cm) onto the back of Rows 66–69, about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) in from each side edge. Whipstitch each end on securely. This leaves an 8 in (20.3 cm) loop that rises about 3 in (7.6 cm) above the panel.
Final Blocking
- Lightly spray the whole holder until it is damp.
- Lay it face up on the blocking mat.
- Pin the panel to 6.8 in x 16.8 in (17.3 cm x 42.7 cm), following the lobe curves.
- Fill each pocket with a toilet roll or a rolled towel so it dries rounded.
- Use your fingers to open up each scallop and straighten the dtr columns so they stand upright.
- Let it dry completely, at least 12 hours, before you hang it.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- The panel has 72 rows, and the row counts are correct at every lobe and waist.
- Each pocket has 60 sts at Rnds 10, 17 and 19.
- Each pocket has 30 evenly spaced dtr and 10 scallops.
- Every seam is 20 sts sewn to 20 sts, centered on the panel.
- The border has 164 sts in each round.
- The finished size is 6.8 in x 16.8 in (17.3 cm x 42.7 cm).
- The strap is sewn on securely and the holder hangs straight.
- All tails are woven in and hidden.
Troubleshooting
The pocket base curls into a cup too early. Your tension is too tight. Go up a hook size for Rnds 1–10 only.
The dtr columns lean. Keep every wrap evenly loose, and pull through to the same height each time.
A roll does not fit. Your base is smaller than 4.75 in (12.1 cm). Remake the pocket with a larger hook.
The border ruffles. You may have missed some skips. Check that each side has 64 sts.
The border pulls in. Use a looser hand for the rev sc, or go up 0.5 mm for Rnd 2.
The holder tilts. Re-sew the strap ends so they are the same distance from each side edge.
Care
Hand wash in cool water, press out the water in a towel and dry flat in shape. Do not tumble dry, because heat can shrink the pockets.
Final Notes
The measurements build on each other in a chain. Gauge of 16 sc x 18 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm) gives a pocket base 4.75 in (12.1 cm) across and a panel 6 in x 16 in (15.2 cm x 40.6 cm). The 20-to-20 seams keep all three pockets centered. The 164-stitch border brings the holder to 6.8 in x 16.8 in (17.3 cm x 42.7 cm). If you check each step as you go, the finished holder will hang flat and straight.
Happy crocheting!
