Crochet 3 Roll Toilet Paper Holder Hanging Pattern: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

If you’ve been searching for a charming, functional, and totally handmade addition to your bathroom, a crochet 3 roll toilet paper holder hanging pattern might be exactly what you need. This project combines practicality with creativity, giving you a beautiful wall-hanging storage piece that keeps three rolls of toilet paper neatly organized and easily within reach. Whether you’re a seasoned crocheter or someone who has just moved past the beginner stage, this pattern is achievable, satisfying, and genuinely useful in everyday life.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know: materials, stitch breakdowns, step-by-step instructions, finishing tips, and ideas for customizing the finished piece to match your bathroom décor. Let’s get into it.

Why Crochet a Toilet Paper Holder?

Before we dive into the pattern itself, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate why this project has become so popular in the crafting community. Store-bought toilet paper holders are functional, sure, but they’re almost universally boring. Metal rods, plastic arms, or freestanding towers — none of them add any personality to a room.

A crocheted hanging holder is different. It’s a soft, textured, handmade object that doubles as wall art. You can make it in any color palette to match your existing towels, shower curtains, or wall paint. You can add fringe, tassels, wooden beads, or embroidered details. And because it’s yours, it carries that quiet satisfaction of knowing you made something useful from scratch.

The 3-roll design is particularly practical. It holds a spare roll within arm’s reach of the toilet, plus two additional rolls so you’re never caught off guard. The hanging style means it mounts easily on the wall with a simple nail or hook, keeping your floor and counter space clear.

Materials You’ll Need

Getting your materials together before you start will make the whole process smoother. Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand.

Yarn: A medium weight cotton yarn (size 4) is ideal for this project. Cotton is sturdy, holds its shape well, and is easy to wash — all important qualities for a bathroom accessory. You’ll need approximately 200 to 250 yards. Choose a color that complements your bathroom, or go bold with a contrasting pop of color.

Crochet Hook: A 5mm (US H/8) hook works perfectly with size 4 cotton yarn. If your tension tends to run tight, go up half a size to a 5.5mm hook.

Scissors: Sharp scissors for clean yarn cuts.

Yarn Needle: For weaving in ends neatly.

Stitch Markers: Optional but helpful for marking the beginning of rounds.

Dowel Rod or Wooden Stick: Approximately 12 inches long and about half an inch in diameter. This forms the hanging rod at the top of the piece. You can find these at craft stores, or repurpose a sturdy twig from your yard for a more rustic look.

Hanging Cord or Jute Twine: About 24 inches, for suspending the piece from the wall.

Wooden Beads (optional): For decorative detail on the hanging cord or fringe.

Abbreviations and Stitches Used

This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology. Here’s a quick reference for the stitches you’ll encounter.

ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
sp — space
st — stitch
rep — repeat
RS — right side

If you’re comfortable with single crochet and basic increases, you’ll be able to follow this pattern with confidence. The pockets use a simple mesh or open-work structure that’s easy to memorize after the first repeat.

Understanding the Structure

Before you begin crocheting, it helps to visualize what you’re making. The finished piece consists of three main components.

The first is the hanging panel — a flat rectangular section at the top of the piece that loops over or attaches to the dowel rod. This is what gives the holder its structure and keeps it hanging straight on the wall.

The second is the three individual pockets — open-topped cylindrical or pouch-shaped holders, each sized to snugly cradle a standard roll of toilet paper. These are attached to the main panel in a vertical column, one above the other.

The third is the decorative elements — fringe, tassels, or beaded cord at the bottom and sides, which turn a purely functional object into something you’d actually want to hang on your wall.

Pattern Instructions

Part 1: The Hanging Panel

The hanging panel is worked flat in rows. Its purpose is to create a sturdy horizontal header through which the dowel rod will slide.

Foundation chain: Chain 36. This gives you a starting width of approximately 12 inches, which suits most standard bathroom walls without feeling bulky.

Row 1: Starting in the second chain from the hook, sc across. You should have 35 sc. Chain 1, turn.

Rows 2 through 6: Sc across each row. Chain 1, turn after each row.

After Row 6, do not fasten off. Fold the panel in half lengthwise so the foundation chain edge meets the last row of stitches. You’ll now join these two edges together using a slip stitch or single crochet seam worked through both layers simultaneously. This creates a clean, enclosed channel — a fabric tube — through which your dowel rod will slide.

Seam row: Working through both layers, sc evenly across. Fasten off and weave in the end. Slide your dowel rod through the channel to confirm it fits smoothly.

Part 2: The First Pocket (Top Position)

Each pocket is worked in the round. The dimensions are designed to hold a standard toilet paper roll, which is roughly 4.5 inches in diameter and 4.5 inches tall.

Foundation chain for the pocket base: Chain 14. Join with a sl st to form a ring, being careful not to twist the chain.

Round 1: Chain 1, sc 20 stitches evenly around the ring. Join with sl st to first sc. (20 sc)

Round 2: Chain 1, sc in each st around. Join. (20 sc)

Rounds 3 through 4: Repeat Round 2.

Now you’ll switch to an open mesh pattern for the body of the pocket. This keeps the holder lightweight, allows air circulation so the rolls stay fresh, and creates that handmade textural look that makes crochet so appealing.

Round 5 (mesh begins): Chain 3 (counts as dc), skip 1 st, *dc in next st, ch 1, skip 1 st*, rep from * to * around. Join with sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (10 dc, 10 ch-1 sp)

Rounds 6 through 9: Chain 3, *dc in next dc, ch 1*, rep from * to * around. Join with sl st to top of ch-3.

Round 10: Chain 1, sc in each st and each ch-1 sp around. Join. (20 sc)

Round 11: Chain 1, sc in each st around. Join. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

The pocket should be open at the top and sturdy enough at the base to support the weight of a full toilet paper roll.

Part 3: The Second and Third Pockets

Repeat the pocket instructions above two more times to create your second and third pockets. Each pocket is identical.

At this stage you’ll have three matching pockets and one completed hanging panel with the dowel rod in place.

Part 4: The Connecting Straps

The pockets are attached to the main panel using vertical straps — flat bands of crochet that run between the panel at the top and the bottom of each pocket.

For the straps between the hanging panel and the first pocket, and between each subsequent pocket, you’ll create two identical strap pieces per join (one for the left side, one for the right).

Each strap: Chain 6. Starting in the second chain from the hook, sc across. (5 sc) Work in rows of sc until the strap measures 3 inches. Fasten off, leaving a sewing tail.

You’ll need 8 straps total — two for attaching the hanging panel to the top of the first pocket, two for connecting the bottom of the first pocket to the top of the second, and two more between the second and third pockets, plus two final straps hanging below the third pocket (which you can finish with fringe or tassels rather than attaching them to anything).

Part 5: Assembling the Holder

This is where the piece really comes together.

Lay your hanging panel flat with the dowel rod already threaded through the channel. Hold or pin your first pocket below the panel, centered horizontally, leaving about one inch of space between the bottom of the panel and the top opening of the pocket.

Using your yarn needle and a length of matching yarn, sew the two left and right straps between the bottom edge of the hanging panel and the top rim of the first pocket. Work the stitches firmly and evenly so the pocket hangs straight and level.

Next, place the second pocket below the first, with about a one-inch gap between the base of the first pocket and the top rim of the second. Attach it using the same strap-and-sewing method.

Repeat with the third pocket below the second.

Once all three pockets are attached, gently tug on each one to test the stability. If anything feels loose, reinforce the stitching with an extra pass of the yarn needle.

Part 6: Finishing Touches

The finishing stage is where you get to make the piece your own.

Bottom fringe: Cut lengths of yarn approximately 8 inches long. Working along the base of the third pocket and along the bottom straps, fold each length in half, insert the folded end through a stitch, and pull the tails through the loop to create a simple lark’s head knot. Trim the fringe to an even length — somewhere between 3 and 5 inches looks clean and balanced.

Hanging cord: Cut two equal lengths of jute twine or yarn, each about 12 inches. Tie one end of each length around the left and right ends of the dowel rod. Bring the two free ends together and tie them in a knot or loop about 6 inches above the rod — this is the loop that will hang on your nail or hook.

If you’d like to add wooden beads, thread them onto the hanging cord before tying your final knot. Two or three beads on each side of the cord adds a lovely natural touch, especially if your bathroom has a boho, farmhouse, or earthy aesthetic.

Weave in all ends using your yarn needle. Take your time with this step — neatly woven ends make the piece look polished and professional from every angle.

Tips for a Perfect Finished Product

A few practical notes that can save you trouble along the way.

Tension consistency matters most on the pockets. If your tension shifts mid-round, one side of the pocket might be tighter than the other, causing it to sag or twist. If you notice this happening, take a breath, slow down, and try to keep each stitch the same height as the ones around it.

Block the finished piece before hanging it. Wet blocking cotton yarn makes a remarkable difference — it evens out the stitches, opens up the mesh, and helps the whole piece hang flat and smooth. Simply wet the finished holder, gently squeeze out the excess water (don’t wring it), and pin it to a foam mat or lay it flat to dry in its finished shape.

For a more structured pocket, you can work a round of crab stitch (reverse single crochet) around the top edge of each pocket. This creates a firm, rolled rim that keeps the opening open and makes it easy to grab a roll quickly.

Customization Ideas

One of the best things about making your own crochet accessories is the freedom to adapt the design. Here are a few ideas for making this holder uniquely yours.

Color blocking: Work each pocket in a different color — perhaps a gradient from light to dark, or three colors pulled from your bathroom’s existing palette.

Striped pockets: Alternate two colors every two rounds within each pocket for a classic striped effect.

Boho fringe and beads: Extend the fringe length, add wooden or clay beads to the fringe ends, or work macramé-style knots between the pockets for a more elaborate bohemian look.

Minimalist neutral: Work the entire piece in an off-white or natural cotton yarn with no fringe, for a clean, Scandi-inspired look.

Monogram or initial: If you’re confident with surface slip stitch embroidery, you can add a letter or simple motif to the hanging panel.

Seasonal swaps: Make several versions in different colors and swap them out with the seasons — deep jewel tones for autumn, icy white and silver for winter, soft pastels for spring.

Gifting and Selling This Pattern

This project makes a genuinely thoughtful handmade gift. It’s practical, beautiful, and clearly made with care — qualities that can be hard to find in a single item. Paired with a few rolls of nice toilet paper or a coordinating hand towel, it makes a lovely housewarming, bridal shower, or holiday gift.

If you’re considering selling finished items made from this pattern, note that handmade bathroom accessories have a strong market on platforms like Etsy. Cotton yarn holders in neutral tones tend to sell well year-round, while seasonal colorways do especially well around holidays and home refresh season in spring.

Care Instructions for the Finished Holder

Because this holder lives in a bathroom, it will inevitably encounter some humidity and the occasional splash. The good news is that cotton yarn is very easy to care for.

Machine wash the holder on a gentle, cool cycle inside a mesh laundry bag. Lay it flat to dry rather than putting it in the dryer, which can distort the shape. If the holder stretches slightly over time from the weight of the rolls, a gentle re-block after washing will restore its original shape and drape.

Final Thoughts

A crochet 3 roll toilet paper holder hanging pattern is one of those projects that surprises you with how much you enjoy it. It’s simple enough to work on while watching television, complex enough to stay interesting, and useful enough that you’ll want to make several once you’ve finished the first.

The finished piece transforms a corner of your bathroom from purely functional into something with real visual personality. And there’s something deeply satisfying about guests noticing a handmade detail in your home and asking where you got it — so you can say, simply, that you made it yourself.

Gather your cotton yarn, your hook, and a quiet hour or two, and you’ll be surprised how quickly this project comes together. Happy crocheting.