10 Free Crochet Toilet Paper Cover Patterns You’ll Actually Want to Make
There’s something quietly satisfying about a bathroom that feels truly put-together. The little details — a folded hand towel, a small plant on the windowsill, a candle that smells like cedar and rain — are what transform a functional room into one that feels intentional. And yet, one of the simplest, most charming details of all is still flying under the radar for a lot of home decorators: the crocheted toilet paper cover.
Yes, really.
Before you picture Grandma’s bathroom circa 1987 with a pink crinioline doll perched on top of the tank, hear me out. The crochet toilet paper cover has had a full-on revival, and the modern versions are nothing like what you might be imagining. Today’s patterns are clean, textured, minimalist, whimsical, and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny. They make wonderful gifts, use up yarn scraps brilliantly, and — best of all — most of them are completely free.
Whether you’re a seasoned crocheter looking for a quick weekend project or a newer maker wanting something small and satisfying to practice your stitches, this list is for you. Below you’ll find ten of the best free crochet toilet paper cover patterns available, along with notes on skill level, yarn suggestions, and what makes each one worth your time.
What Is a Crochet Toilet Paper Cover, Exactly?
For the uninitiated, a toilet paper cover (sometimes called a toilet paper cozy, tissue topper, or TP holder) is essentially a crocheted cover that slips over a spare roll of toilet paper sitting on the back of the toilet tank or on a bathroom shelf. They serve a dual purpose: they keep that spare roll looking tidy and intentional rather than just… sitting there, and they add a handmade, cozy touch to a room that often gets overlooked in terms of décor.
Some versions are designed to cover a single roll, others can hold two or three. Some feature flat bottoms so they sit securely on a shelf. Others have drawstring tops or button closures. And then there are the novelty styles — gnomes, pumpkins, ghosts, Santa Clauses, and everything in between — which have become genuinely popular as seasonal bathroom décor.
The beauty of these little projects is that they’re fast. Most take less than two hours to complete, require only a small amount of yarn (perfect for using up leftovers), and are forgiving enough for beginners while still offering satisfying construction for more experienced makers.
A Few Quick Notes Before You Start
Most toilet paper cover patterns are worked in the round, from the bottom up. They typically use bulky or worsted weight yarn and a size H (5mm) or I (5.5mm) hook, though this varies by pattern. If you’re newer to crochet, you’ll want to be comfortable with working magic rings or chain rings, single crochet increases, and slip stitching to join rounds. If you’ve made a hat before, you’ll feel right at home — the construction is very similar.
Always check your gauge if the pattern includes one. Toilet paper rolls do vary slightly in size, but most standard rolls are about 4.5 inches in diameter and 4.5 inches tall, so you’re not working with a lot of margin for error. When in doubt, go up a hook size rather than down — a slightly looser cover is much easier to slip on and off.
Now, let’s get into the good stuff.
1. The Classic Ribbed Cover
The ribbed toilet paper cover is the little black dress of this category — it goes with everything, it never looks out of place, and once you know how to make one, you’ll want to make a dozen. This style is typically worked in the round using back-loop-only single crochets or half double crochets, which creates a beautiful stretchy ribbing that mimics the look of a knit fabric.
What makes this pattern genuinely great for beginners is the simplicity of the stitch repeat. Once you understand the rhythm of working into the back loop only, the rest is almost meditative. Choose a neutral — cream, oatmeal, sage, charcoal — and it will slot into almost any bathroom aesthetic. This pattern typically calls for less than 100 yards of worsted weight yarn, making it ideal for yarn scraps.
Look for free versions of this pattern on Ravelry, where you’ll find several variations from independent designers. Search “ribbed toilet paper cozy” and filter by free patterns.
2. The Bobble Stitch Cover
If you want a little texture in your life — and honestly, who doesn’t — the bobble stitch toilet paper cover is deeply satisfying to make and even more satisfying to display. Bobble stitches create a three-dimensional, puckered surface that catches the light beautifully and feels wonderfully squishy in hand.
This pattern does require a bit more yarn than the ribbed version since bobbles use extra yarn to create their puff, but you’re still looking at 150 yards or less. It’s typically classified as an easy-intermediate pattern, meaning you should be comfortable with basic increases and decreases before diving in, but you don’t need any advanced skills.
Bobble stitch covers look especially striking in high-contrast color combinations — think off-white with rust, navy with cream, or a deep forest green. They also make excellent gifts since the texture reads as more elevated and intentional than a basic stitch pattern. Free versions can be found on popular crochet blogs including Daisy Farm Crafts and Crochet 365 Knit Too.
3. The Farmhouse-Style Woven Cover
The modern farmhouse trend has made its way into every corner of the home, and bathroom décor is no exception. The farmhouse-style toilet paper cover typically features simple stitch patterns — often moss stitch or linen stitch — that mimic the look of woven textile. Combined with natural cotton yarn in neutral tones, these covers look like something you’d find at an expensive boutique, not something you crocheted while watching television.
Cotton yarn is the preferred choice for this style because of how it holds its structure and its matte, natural finish. The moss stitch (alternating single crochet and chain one spaces) is particularly well-suited here, creating a subtle grid pattern that looks intentional and polished. Pair it with a small wooden button closure for extra farmhouse charm.
This is a wonderful pattern to make if you’re trying to move away from the novelty or kitschy associations of toilet paper covers and toward something more sophisticated. It photographs beautifully, too, which matters if you’re making things to sell at craft fairs or feature on social media.
4. The Gnome Cover
Okay, we need to talk about gnomes. The crocheted gnome toilet paper cover has become something of a phenomenon in the crochet community, and once you see one, it’s not hard to understand why. These covers feature a large, floppy gnome hat worked directly over the toilet paper roll, with a little nose (usually a small pom-pom or crocheted button), a fluffy yarn beard, and sometimes tiny crocheted arms or a little accessory like a star or heart.
They are completely absurd and completely wonderful.
The gnome cover works because it leans into the whimsy rather than trying to pretend it’s not happening. It’s a conversation piece, it makes people smile, and it makes giving or receiving one feel genuinely fun. They’re also surprisingly quick to make — the hat portion is straightforward, and the embellishments can be as simple or elaborate as you want.
Gnome covers are especially popular as holiday gifts (a Christmas gnome in red and white, a St. Patrick’s Day gnome in green, a Valentine gnome in pink and red) and they photograph like an absolute dream for anyone running a craft shop or crochet-focused social media account. Numerous free patterns are available on Pinterest and Ravelry, with “gnome toilet paper cover crochet free pattern” being one of the most searched terms in the category.
5. The Pumpkin Cover
Seasonal bathroom décor is genuinely a thing now, and the crocheted pumpkin toilet paper cover is one of the most satisfying ways to participate in it. These covers are worked in rounds that create a slightly rounded, puffy shape, often with surface slip stitch lines running vertically to suggest pumpkin ridges. A small crocheted stem in brown or green finishes the look.
In orange yarn, this is a perfect Halloween or autumn decoration. In ivory or cream, it becomes a more neutral fall accent that works from September straight through Thanksgiving. Some makers take it further, using green yarn and a curly vine to make a watermelon, or pink and brown to suggest a strawberry — the basic oval shape is a versatile starting point for all kinds of fruit and vegetable-themed variations.
This is a great beginner project because the shaping is forgiving and the surface lines (if included) are optional. The whole thing can be completed in an afternoon with basic worsted yarn and a size I hook.
6. The Cactus Cover
For anyone whose bathroom leans more desert modern than cottagecore, the cactus toilet paper cover is a genuinely clever solution. These covers are designed to look like a small cactus plant — typically a barrel cactus shape, sometimes a saguaro — worked in shades of green with small embroidered or crocheted “spines” and sometimes a tiny crocheted flower on top.
What makes the cactus cover particularly interesting from a construction standpoint is that many versions use post stitches (front post double crochet or back post double crochet) to create the ribbed, segmented look of a cactus body. This is a great skill-builder for crocheters who want to practice texture stitches without committing to a large project.
Cactus covers also tend to be gender-neutral in their appeal, which makes them good gift options for a wide range of recipients. They’re especially popular in college dorms, apartments, and bathrooms with a minimalist or boho aesthetic.
7. The Cat Cover
The cat toilet paper cover is exactly what it sounds like, and it is exactly as delightful as you’re hoping. These patterns typically create a simple cylindrical or slightly tapered body with crocheted cat ears at the top, an embroidered or sewn-on face, and sometimes a crocheted tail curling around the base.
Some versions are more abstract — just the silhouette suggestion of a cat, with simple triangular ears and small French knot eyes — while others are more detailed, with yarn whiskers, a tiny crocheted nose, and dimensional paw details. Both approaches work wonderfully, and the level of detail you add can scale with your skill level and patience.
Cat covers are perennially popular gift items, particularly among the (enormous) cat-loving segment of the crafting community. They also make great stash-busters — work the body in whatever neutral you have on hand and add details in black or dark brown.
8. The Rainbow or Colorwork Cover
For makers who want to practice colorwork without the intimidation factor of a large project, a small toilet paper cover is genuinely one of the best places to start. Because you’re working in the round on a small circumference, you can practice carrying yarn, working with two colors simultaneously, or creating striped and gradient designs with very little commitment.
A simple rainbow stripe cover — each round in a different color of the spectrum, worked in single crochet — is a joyful, fast make that looks cheerful and modern in any bathroom. More advanced versions can include Fair Isle-style colorwork panels or tapestry crochet designs for truly impressive results.
These covers are a great way to use up small yarn scraps from other projects. If you’ve finished a sweater and have four yards of this color and twelve yards of that one, a colorwork toilet paper cover is the perfect home for all of it.
9. The Ghost Cover
Seasonal bathroom décor peaks every October, and the ghost toilet paper cover is the Halloween contribution that everyone seems to love. These patterns drape the toilet paper roll in a simple white or off-white cover with embroidered or sewn-on eyes and a slightly wavy, draped hem to suggest a floating ghost shape.
The ghost cover works so well because the concept is perfectly matched to the form — a roll of toilet paper is already roughly the right shape for a little ghost, and the cover requires minimal shaping. Most patterns are single crochet in the round with a scalloped or slightly pointed bottom hem for that classic ghost look.
They’re quick (many makers report finishing one in under an hour once they know the pattern), they’re crowd-pleasers, and they’re the kind of thing that makes guests smile when they see them in the bathroom. Make a few and give them as Halloween gifts — they’re universally well-received.
10. The Sunflower Cover
For a bright, nature-inspired option that works year-round but especially shines in spring and summer, the sunflower toilet paper cover is a genuinely beautiful project. These covers use the toilet paper roll as the center of a large stylized sunflower, with crocheted petals worked around the circumference of the cover and a textured brown or dark yellow center.
Some versions are worked as a flat sunflower face that wraps around the roll, while others create a more three-dimensional flower with raised petals. Both styles look stunning in golden yellow with a deep brown or dark green center, and either would make an absolutely lovely gift.
The sunflower cover tends to be one of the more skill-required options on this list since working the petals evenly takes some patience and precision. But the result is genuinely impressive, and many experienced crocheters cite this as one of their favorite “quick impressive gift” projects.
Tips for Getting the Best Results
A few practical notes to carry into whichever pattern you choose. Always pre-wash your yarn if you’re using cotton and if the cover will be sitting in a bathroom where humidity is a factor — this prevents later shrinkage and keeps the shape true. Weave in your ends carefully and use a dab of fabric glue on knots if you want extra security.
If you’re making toilet paper covers to sell, consider adding a small tag or label with care instructions, since many buyers won’t know whether their cover can be machine washed or should be hand washed. And if you’re making them as gifts, pairing the cover with a nice candle or a small plant is an easy way to create a lovely, cohesive bathroom gift set without spending much money.
Finally, don’t underestimate the value of photographing your finished covers in an actual bathroom setting rather than against a plain background. Natural light, a clean white toilet tank, and a wooden shelf or small plant in the background will make even the simplest pattern look like a professional product photo.
The Case for Making One (or Ten)
Crochet toilet paper covers occupy a wonderful sweet spot in the crafting universe: they’re fast enough to finish in a sitting, inexpensive enough to make without stressing about materials, useful enough to justify the time, and charming enough that people genuinely love receiving them. They’re also one of those projects that tends to evolve into a small obsession — once you’ve made one and seen how it livens up a bathroom shelf, you start thinking about seasonal rotations, coordinating sets, and which friends and family members would love a custom one.
They’re proof that the best home décor projects aren’t always the biggest or most technically demanding ones. Sometimes it’s a small crocheted cover sitting quietly on a bathroom shelf, making a room feel like home.
Pick any of the ten patterns above, grab a skein of yarn you love, and see what happens.
