Crochet Hanging Toilet Roll Holder Free Patterns – Easy DIY Bathroom Storage
If you’ve ever opened a bathroom cabinet only to watch a tower of toilet rolls tumble onto the floor, you already know the struggle. Bathroom storage is one of those surprisingly tricky design problems, especially in smaller spaces where every square inch matters. A crochet hanging toilet roll holder solves that problem in the most charming way imaginable — it keeps your rolls organized and within reach, it adds a handmade touch to what is arguably the most overlooked room in the house, and best of all, you can make one yourself using yarn you probably already have.
This guide is going to walk you through everything you need to know about crocheting your own hanging toilet roll holder. Whether you’re a total beginner picking up a hook for the first time or an experienced crafter looking for a quick and satisfying weekend project, you’ll find a pattern and approach here that works for your skill level. We’ll cover materials, stitches, sizing tips, pattern variations, and finishing techniques — plus a few ideas for customizing your holder to match your bathroom decor.
Why a Crochet Toilet Roll Holder Makes Such a Great Project
Before we dive into the patterns themselves, let’s take a moment to appreciate why this particular project has become such a favorite among crocheters of all skill levels.
First, it’s genuinely useful. Unlike a decorative doily or a purely aesthetic piece, a hanging toilet roll holder serves a real function every single day. That combination of beauty and practicality is one of the best things about crochet home decor.
Second, it’s fast. Even if you’re a slow, methodical crocheter, you can complete a basic single-roll holder in an evening and a multi-roll holder over a weekend. There’s something deeply satisfying about starting and finishing a project within a couple of days.
Third, it’s inexpensive. You don’t need much yarn — a single skein of cotton yarn is often more than enough for a small holder. If you have leftover yarn from other projects, this is a perfect stash-buster.
Finally, it’s a wonderful gift. Handmade bathroom accessories have a reputation for being thoughtful and personal without being overly sentimental. A crochet toilet roll holder is the kind of housewarming or hostess gift that actually gets used.
Choosing the Right Yarn
The yarn you choose will make a significant difference in how your toilet roll holder looks, feels, and performs over time. Here’s what to consider.
Cotton yarn is almost universally recommended for bathroom projects, and for good reason. It’s durable, easy to wash, doesn’t stretch excessively, and holds its shape well in humid environments. Worsted-weight cotton is the most popular choice because it works up quickly and creates a fabric with good structure — you want your holder to be sturdy enough to support the weight of multiple rolls without sagging.
If you want a slightly more decorative look, you might consider a cotton-linen blend, which has a beautiful natural texture and a subtle sheen. Linen does stiffen up over time, which actually works in your favor for a holder that needs to maintain its shape.
Avoid pure acrylic yarn for this particular project. Acrylic tends to stretch, which means your holder will gradually droop under the weight of the rolls. It also doesn’t breathe as well as cotton, which matters in a bathroom setting.
Macramé cord is another excellent option if you want a more modern, bohemian look. It creates a beautifully textured fabric and is extremely strong, making it perfect for a holder that will carry several rolls at once.
For weight, worsted (size 4) is the easiest to work with and gives you the most control. Bulky yarn (size 5 or 6) will work up faster and create a chunkier, more rustic aesthetic, while DK weight (size 3) gives you a finer fabric with more delicate detail.
Tools and Supplies You’ll Need
Getting your supplies together before you start makes the whole process smoother. Here’s a complete list for a basic hanging toilet roll holder.
You’ll need yarn (cotton worsted weight is the standard recommendation), a crochet hook sized to match your yarn (usually a 5mm or 5.5mm hook for worsted weight), a yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, a measuring tape, stitch markers if you’re working in the round, and a wooden dowel, piece of driftwood, or a length of macramé rope for the hanging mechanism. If you want to add decorative beads, tassels, or fringe, gather those materials as well.
Some crocheters also like to use a quick-drying fabric stiffener spray on finished bathroom items, which helps the holder maintain its shape and resist humidity. This is entirely optional but can be a nice finishing touch.
Understanding the Basic Structure
A hanging toilet roll holder typically consists of three main components: the pocket or tube that holds the rolls, the hanging mechanism at the top, and any decorative elements or fringe at the bottom.
The pocket is most commonly crocheted in the round, essentially forming a tube or cylinder wide enough to hold one or more standard toilet rolls. Standard toilet rolls are roughly 4.5 inches (about 11.5 cm) in diameter, so your tube needs to be at least that wide — though most patterns allow for a little extra ease to make loading and unloading rolls easy.
The hanging mechanism can be as simple as a loop of chain stitches attached at the top of the work, or it can involve a wooden dowel threaded through a crochet channel at the top with a rope hanging from each end. The dowel method gives you the most attractive and polished look, and it’s not as complicated as it sounds.
Decorative elements are completely optional but add so much personality. Tassels, pompoms, fringe, and beaded fringe are all popular choices. These hang from the bottom of the holder and draw the eye in a beautiful, intentional way.
Free Pattern: Simple Single-Roll Hanging Holder (Beginner Level)
This first pattern is designed for beginners. It uses only chain stitches, single crochet, and slip stitches, so if you know those three things, you’re ready.
Materials: About 80 yards of worsted-weight cotton yarn, a 5mm crochet hook, yarn needle, scissors, a 12-inch wooden dowel or a sturdy twig, and approximately 24 inches of twine or thin rope for hanging.
Gauge: 14 sc x 16 rows = 4 inches. Gauge is not critical for this project, but if your fabric is too loose, the holder will stretch; if it’s too tight, it may be stiff and rigid.
Abbreviations: ch (chain), sc (single crochet), sl st (slip stitch), MR (magic ring).
Instructions:
Start by making a magic ring and chaining 2. Work 12 single crochets into the magic ring and pull the tail to close the ring. Slip stitch to join and mark the beginning of the round.
Continue working in continuous rounds, placing one single crochet in each stitch around without joining. This creates a seamless tube. Work in this manner for approximately 20 rounds, or until your tube is about 5 inches tall — tall enough to hold one roll securely.
After completing the tube, slip stitch to join and chain 15. Slip stitch back into the same stitch to form a loop. This loop will hang over your dowel or hook. Fasten off and weave in all ends.
For the hanging dowel, cut your twine into two 12-inch pieces and tie one piece to each end of the dowel. Tie the loose ends together at the top to form a triangle hanger, or tie each piece individually to a small wall hook spaced 10 to 12 inches apart.
Lay the top of the crochet tube over the dowel if it’s wide enough, or simply thread the hanging loop over the hook and let the tube hang freely.
Free Pattern: Multi-Roll Hanging Pocket Organizer (Intermediate Level)
This pattern creates a flat wall-hanging organizer with three pockets, each sized to hold one roll. It works up flat rather than in the round, which makes it easy to customize the size and add decorative details.
Materials: Approximately 200 yards of worsted-weight cotton (you can use multiple colors for a striped effect), a 5mm crochet hook, a 16-inch wooden dowel, 30 inches of macramé cord or thick twine for hanging, a yarn needle, and scissors.
Gauge: 14 sc x 16 rows = 4 inches.
Instructions for the Back Panel:
Chain 52 to create a foundation chain approximately 14 inches wide. Single crochet across (51 stitches), chain 1, turn. Continue in single crochet for 50 rows or until the panel measures approximately 12 inches tall. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Instructions for the Pockets (make three):
Chain 18 and single crochet across (17 stitches). Continue in single crochet for 20 rows or until the pocket measures approximately 5 inches tall. Do not fasten off; instead, work a single crochet border around all four sides of the pocket by chaining 1 and working one single crochet in each stitch and row end around the perimeter, placing 3 single crochets in each corner. Slip stitch to join, fasten off, and weave in ends.
Assembly:
Position the three pockets evenly across the back panel, spacing them about half an inch apart. Use your yarn needle to sew each pocket firmly to the back panel along the bottom and sides, leaving the top open to receive the rolls.
Fold the top edge of the back panel over the wooden dowel and sew it down securely to create a channel. Thread your macramé cord through the dowel and tie each end to create a hanging loop.
Add tassels or fringe to the bottom edge of the back panel by cutting 6-inch lengths of yarn, folding each piece in half, and pulling the folded end through a stitch with your hook, then threading the loose ends through the loop and pulling tight. Trim the fringe to an even length.
Free Pattern: Boho Round Holder with Fringe (Intermediate Level)
This variation is inspired by the bohemian macramé aesthetic that has become so popular in bathroom decor. It’s crocheted in the round with an open mesh design and finished with long, dramatic fringe.
Materials: About 150 yards of natural cotton macramé-style yarn or chunky cotton, a 6mm hook, a large metal ring (5 to 6 inches in diameter) or a sturdy piece of driftwood, and extra yarn for fringe.
Instructions:
Attach your yarn to the metal ring with a slip knot. Single crochet around the ring until it is completely covered. Slip stitch to join and continue building upward in joined rounds.
Round 1 to 3: Chain 3, skip one stitch, double crochet in the next stitch, repeat around to create an open mesh pattern. Slip stitch to join each round.
Round 4 to 8: Switch to single crochet worked in the back loop only for a ribbed texture. This tighter section will form the body of the holder that grips the rolls.
Continue alternating between mesh sections and ribbed sections to your desired height, typically around 7 to 8 inches total. Close the bottom by working decrease stitches evenly until you have 6 stitches remaining, slip stitch to join, and pull the tail through to close completely.
Attach fringe generously to the bottom of the holder. Cut yarn in 12-inch lengths, fold in half, and attach fringe to every other stitch around the bottom. The longer and more abundant the fringe, the more luxurious the finished look.
Tie a piece of rope or leather cord to the top ring for hanging.
Customizing Your Toilet Roll Holder
One of the most delightful things about making your own bathroom accessories is the freedom to customize them completely. Here are some ideas to make your holder uniquely yours.
Color choices have the most immediate impact. A crisp white holder looks clean and spa-like. Earthy terracotta, sage green, and warm beige tones lean into the currently popular natural and organic aesthetic. Bold jewel tones like teal, mustard, and burgundy add personality and warmth. You can also stripe multiple colors by switching yarns between rounds or rows.
Texture is another way to add visual interest. Cables, bobbles, and puff stitches can all be incorporated into a flat back panel design. A moss stitch creates a beautifully dense, even fabric with a slightly nubbly texture. The shell stitch adds a delicate, scalloped look that feels elegant rather than rustic.
For the hanging mechanism, beyond the standard wooden dowel, you could use a branch collected from your yard for a truly natural look, a painted dowel in a color that matches your decor, a metal pipe for an industrial aesthetic, or a thick piece of rope knotted at each end.
Embellishments like sewn-on buttons, woven-in ribbon, or a macramé fringe added to an otherwise plain cotton holder can completely transform the look of the piece. Crochet flowers and leaves can be made separately and attached for a more whimsical, botanical feel.
Caring for Your Crochet Holder
A toilet roll holder is a bathroom item, which means it will be exposed to humidity, hair spray, and whatever else drifts around in bathroom air. Fortunately, cotton yarn is extremely easy to care for.
Most cotton crochet items can be machine washed on a gentle cycle in cool water and laid flat to dry. Avoid putting cotton items in the dryer at high heat, as this can cause shrinkage and distortion. Reshaping the holder while it’s damp and allowing it to air dry flat will keep it looking its best.
If your holder starts to look a bit limp over time, a light spray of fabric stiffener or a diluted mixture of equal parts water and white PVA glue brushed lightly onto the surface can revive the structure. Allow it to dry completely before hanging it back up.
Tips for Success
A few practical tips can save you a lot of frustration, especially if you’re newer to crochet.
Check your sizing against an actual toilet roll before you get too far into the project. Standard rolls vary slightly by brand, and you don’t want to finish a beautiful holder only to discover the rolls are too tight to remove easily.
When working in the round, use a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of each round. It’s easy to lose track of where one round ends and the next begins, especially when you’re using a single color.
Blocking your finished piece — wetting it, shaping it, and allowing it to dry — makes a significant difference in the final appearance. Blocking evens out tension inconsistencies, opens up lacy patterns, and gives the finished piece a professional polish.
If you’re making this as a gift, consider making a small coordinating piece — a soap dish cover, a small storage basket, or a set of washcloths — to turn it into a complete bathroom gift set. Matching yarn and stitch patterns tie everything together beautifully.
A Final Word
There is something quietly satisfying about making something functional and beautiful with your own hands and hanging it in the most humble room of the house. A crochet hanging toilet roll holder says: I made something useful, I made it intentionally, and I put care into a space that most people overlook. That’s worth something.
Whether you work through the beginner single-roll pattern first or dive straight into the boho fringe version, take your time and enjoy the process. The beauty of crochet is that even a “mistake” — a slightly uneven row, a stitch count that went sideways — usually disappears into the texture of the finished piece. What you’re left with is something handmade, personal, and genuinely useful.
Happy crocheting.
