Rnds 4–6: Sc in each st. (18 in each round)
Sl st in the next st and fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail. The cup is about 1.6 in (4.1 cm) across at the opening and 1.5 in (3.8 cm) deep.
Snowflake (Make 3)
Work with Color B.
Rnd 1: 12 sc in MR. Pull the ring snug but leave a small center hole. Join. (12)
Rnd 2: Ch 4. Picot 3 times, working each sl st into the 4th ch of the ch-4 (the one nearest the hook), to make a trefoil tip. Sl st back down each of the remaining 3 chs. Sl st in the next sc, then sl st in the following sc. Repeat 6 times. (6 arms, 18 picots)
Fasten off, leaving a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail. The snowflake is about 1.75 in (4.4 cm) across.
Border: Ribbed Cuff (Each Pocket)
The cuff is the border of each pocket.
Border gauge: The cuff uses the same 14 sts = 4 in (10.2 cm) as the body. The post ribs pull in slightly at the top edge, by about 0.25 in (0.6 cm) around. That helps the cuff hug the roll without making the opening too small to use.
Join Color B in the marked first stitch of Rnd 15 (the left side).
Cuff Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (54: 27 on the front half + 27 on the back half)
This round is worked 1 sc per existing stitch, with nothing added.
Cuff Rnd 2: Ch 2, FPdc around next st, BPdc around next st 27 times, join. (54: 27 FPdc + 27 BPdc)
Cuff Rnd 3: Ch 2, FPdc around the FPdc, BPdc around the BPdc 27 times, join. (54)
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Why the math works: The body has 54 stitches, which is both a multiple of 3 (for the braid repeat) and a multiple of 2 (for the rib). That means the cuff takes every body stitch 1 for 1, with no increases or decreases. Each half of the pocket has 27 stitches, so the front half has exactly 9 braid repeats. The rib alternates 27 times around the full round and closes neatly at the join.
Checkpoint: the pocket wall is 4 in (10.2 cm) tall, which matches the height of a standard roll.
Attach the Toe and Snowflake
- Lay the pocket flat with the front half (stitches 1–27) facing you. Choose one side for the toe and use that same side on all three pockets.
- Stuff the toe lightly so it stays rounded without getting stiff.
- Pin the toe opening flat against the lower front near that side, with its bottom edge on Rnd 10. The opening should cover Rnds 10–13, about 1.75 in (4.4 cm) of height, and point outward.
- Whipstitch all around the opening with the tail.
- Center the snowflake on the front just below the cuff, between the toe and the front center. Sew through Rnd 1 and the base of each arm. Tack each trefoil tip with one small stitch.
Make All Pieces
- Color A: 3 pocket bodies, 3 toes, 2 straps
- Color B: 3 cuffs (worked onto the bodies), 3 snowflakes
Straps (Make 2)
Work with Color A.
Row 1: Ch 62, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across, turn. (61)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (61)
Fasten off, leaving a 24 in (61.0 cm) tail. Each strap is about 17.4 in (44.2 cm) long and 0.5 in (1.3 cm) wide.
Layout
Joining
Method: Whipstitch each strap flat against the outside of each pocket wall. One strap goes up the left side column (stitch 1) and the other goes up the right side column (stitch 28).
Stitch-to-stitch logic: At 3.5 sts per inch, the 4 in (10.2 cm) pocket wall equals 14 strap stitches. Count from the bottom end of each strap:
- Strap sts 1–14: Pocket 3, from Rnd 10 up to the top of the cuff
- Strap sts 15–17: gap of about 0.9 in (2.3 cm)
- Strap sts 18–31: Pocket 2
- Strap sts 32–34: gap of about 0.9 in (2.3 cm)
- Strap sts 35–48: Pocket 1
- Strap sts 49–61: 13 sts left free for the ring
Pin both straps in place before you sew so the pockets hang level. Sew through both strap rows and one loop of each wall stitch.
Tension: Keep the whipstitches firm but not tight. If they are too tight, the pocket wall puckers. If they are too loose, the pockets sag forward when they hold a roll.
Ring: Pass the free end of each strap through the ring from front to back. Fold back the last 4 sts, about 1.1 in (2.8 cm), and sew them to the back of the strap. About 2.3 in (5.8 cm) of strap should show between the top cuff and the ring.
Size checkpoint: The whole holder, including the ring, should hang about 19 in (48.3 cm) long.
Final Blocking
- Put a roll into each pocket to hold its shape.
- Spray the pockets lightly with water, or steam acrylic from 1 in (2.5 cm) away without touching the yarn.
- Pat each base flat and straighten the braids so they run vertically.
- Pinch the cuff ribs into even columns.
- Shape each toe into a smooth curve.
- Hang the holder on a hook and let it dry completely with the rolls inside.
- Take the rolls out and check that the walls stand up on their own.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Each base is 4.9 in (12.4 cm) across and lies flat.
- Each pocket has 54 stitches in every round, from the turning round through the cuff.
- Each pocket has 9 braid columns on the front and 9 on the back.
- Each wall is 4 in (10.2 cm) tall, including the 1.25 in (3.2 cm) cuff.
- All three toes face the same direction and are sewn at the same height.
- The snowflakes match in placement on all three pockets.
- The straps line up with stitch 1 and stitch 28, with matching 0.9 in (2.3 cm) gaps.
- The holder hangs straight and is about 19 in (48.3 cm) long.
- All ends are woven in securely.
Troubleshooting
The base ruffles. Go down one hook size, or check that you are not adding extra increases.
The base cups. Go up one hook size, or relax your tension.
The braids lean. Make sure each cross is worked over the 2 FPdc directly below it, not shifted by one stitch.
The roll won’t fit. Your gauge is tight. Remake the pocket with a larger hook, aiming for a base of 4.9 in (12.4 cm).
The cuff flares. Pull the BPdc a little more snugly, or work the cuff with a 4.5 mm hook.
The pockets tilt forward. Sew the straps through more of each wall stitch, especially at the cuff.
The toe looks flat. Add a little more stuffing before you close it.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap and press out the water in a towel. Reshape the pockets and let them dry flat, or hang the holder with rolls inside to keep the shape.
Final Notes
Every measurement depends on the one before it. The 14-stitch gauge gives a 54-stitch base that is 4.9 in (12.4 cm) across. That base makes a 2.75 in (7.0 cm) braided wall, and the 1.25 in (3.2 cm) cuff brings each pocket to 4 in (10.2 cm). That height matches 14 strap stitches, and three pockets, two gaps and the ring add up to a 19 in (48.3 cm) holder. Check each step before moving on and the three pockets will match.
Happy crocheting!
