Shell Stitch Hanging Toilet Roll Holder Crochet Pattern

Round 16: Work as Round 14. Fasten off. (54 sts)

You now have three offset bands of shells, which give the fish-scale look. Checkpoint: the pocket is 3.25 in (8.3 cm) tall.

Placing markers: Each pocket has 9 shell repeats, so it can’t be split into two equal halves of repeats. Instead, mark stitch columns directly. On Round 11, put a marker in st 1 and another in st 28. These two columns are exactly opposite each other, 27 sts apart.

Make All Pieces

• Pockets: 3, each with Color B base and band, Color A shells (Rounds 1–16)
• Straps: 2, all Color B (pattern below)

Layout:

Strap (make 2)

With Color B, ch 5.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (4 sts)

Rows 2–32: Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st across. Turn. (4 sts)

Fasten off and leave a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail. Each strap measures about 1⅛ in (2.9 cm) wide and 8 in (20.3 cm) long. Working in the BLO gives the strap a fine ribbed, knit-look texture.

Joining

Method: Mattress stitch with Color B and a tapestry needle, worked vertically through Rounds 10–16.

1. Stand Pocket 1 and Pocket 2 side by side with the right sides facing out. Turn them so the st 28 marker on Pocket 1 touches the st 1 marker on Pocket 2.
2. Starting at Round 10, take the needle under one post of the marked column on Pocket 1, then under the matching post on Pocket 2. Work one pass per round, from Round 10 up to Round 16. That’s 7 rounds, or 3 in (7.6 cm) of seam.
3. Go back down the same column for a second pass. This makes the seam strong enough to hold a roll’s weight.
4. Join Pocket 3 to Pocket 2 in the same way. The st 1 marker on Pocket 3 should touch the st 28 marker on Pocket 2.

Stitch-to-stitch logic: The seam joins round to round, never stitch to stitch along a row. No stitches are used up or added, so every rim still has its full 54 sts.

Tension: Pull each pass snug enough to close the gap but not so hard that it puckers. The pockets should touch along a narrow line and still stay round.

Checkpoint: The joined row measures 15 in (38.1 cm) wide, which is 3 pockets x 5 in (12.7 cm).

Leave the remaining markers in place. On Pocket 1, the unseamed st 1 marker shows the outer side. On Pocket 3, the unseamed st 28 marker shows the outer side.

Border

The border is the cream scalloped rim. You work it separately around each pocket’s top edge, so the scallops flare freely above the seams.

Border gauge: 1 sc round = 0.25 in (0.6 cm); scallop round = 0.5 in (1.3 cm). Total depth 0.75 in (1.9 cm).

Work these rounds on each of the 3 pockets:

Round 17 (trim round): Join Color B in any sc of Round 16. Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each existing st: 1 sc in every sc and 1 sc in every dc. Sl st to the first sc. (54 sts worked 1-per-existing-stitch + 0 added = 54 sts)

Round 18 (scallops): Ch 1, sc in first st, sk 2, 5 dc in next st, sk 2, sc in next st; rep from * 8 more times, omitting the last sc. Sl st to the first sc. Fasten off. (9 scallops, 9 sc; 54 sts)

Totals across the holder: 3 pockets x 54 sts = 162 sts in Round 17, and 3 x 9 = 27 scallops in Round 18.

Why the math works: Each scallop repeat uses exactly 6 sts (1 sc + 2 skipped + 1 shell base + 2 skipped). Since 54 ÷ 6 = 9, the round closes evenly with no partial repeat. The joining seams stop at Round 16, so there are no seam stitches to account for.

Attach the Straps

1. On Pocket 1, count 7 sts from the outer-side marker toward the back of the pocket, then mark that stitch on Round 17. Do the same on Pocket 3, counting toward the back.
2. Center one end of a strap on the inside back wall at that mark. Overlap it 1 in (2.5 cm) down from Round 17 and whipstitch it in place on all four sides.
3. Loop the strap up and over the dowel. Bring the other end down, center it over the first end, and sew it down with another 1 in (2.5 cm) overlap.
4. This leaves 6 in (15.2 cm) of free strap. That makes a loop about 3 in (7.6 cm) tall above the rim.

Weave in all ends along the inside of the cream rounds.

Final Blocking

1. Lightly spritz the holder with water until it’s damp, not soaked.
2. Put a toilet paper roll (or a rolled towel of the same size) in each pocket to set the round shape.
3. Use your fingers to open each scallop and pin the tips evenly around the rim.
4. Lay the holder on its back on a towel and line up the three pockets so they sit straight.
5. Check that the width is 15 in (38.1 cm) and each pocket is 4 in (10.2 cm) tall.
6. Let it dry completely, at least 12 hours. Then remove the pins and forms.

Final Quality-Control Checklist

• Every pocket has 54 sts in Rounds 9–18.
• Each pocket has 9 yellow shells per round and 9 cream scallops.
• Bases lie flat and measure 5 in (12.7 cm).
• Seams cover Rounds 10–16 only, two passes each.
• The holder is 15 in (38.1 cm) wide, and the pockets are 4 in (10.2 cm) tall.
• The straps are the same length, with loops about 3 in (7.6 cm) tall.
• The holder hangs level with rolls loaded.
• All ends are woven in on the inside.

Troubleshooting

Base curls up like a bowl: You’re working too tightly. Go up a hook size for the base only.

Base ruffles: You’re working too loosely, or the increases are stacking. Go down a hook size and stagger the increases.

Shell round doesn’t close evenly: Your count before the shell round wasn’t 54. Recount Round 11 and fix it before starting Round 12.

Shells lean or spiral: Check that every sc in Round B goes into the center (3rd) dc of a shell.

Holder tilts when hanging: The straps were placed unevenly or are different lengths. Re-sew them so each sits 7 sts from its outer marker with a 1 in (2.5 cm) overlap.

Pockets sag forward: Use cotton, or work the strap ends 1.5 in (3.8 cm) lower for more support.

Care

Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, press out the water in a towel, and dry flat over a roll so the pockets keep their shape. Avoid the dryer, which can shrink cotton.

Final Notes

The measurement chain is simple. A 54-stitch base 5 in (12.7 cm) across makes walls that are 3.25 in (8.3 cm) tall after the shells. The 0.75 in (1.9 cm) scalloped border brings each pocket to 4 in (10.2 cm). Three pockets joined side by side make the 15 in (38.1 cm) width, and 3 in (7.6 cm) strap loops give a total hanging height of 7 in (17.8 cm). If your first pocket hits its checkpoints, the rest will match.

Happy crocheting!