Crochet Toilet Paper Holder: The Cutest DIY Project for Your Bathroom
There is something quietly satisfying about turning a ball of yarn into something genuinely useful. A crochet toilet paper holder sits right at that sweet spot between practical and charming — it adds texture, warmth, and a handmade touch to one of the most overlooked spaces in the home. Whether you are a seasoned crocheter looking for a quick weekend project or a beginner ready to try something beyond scarves and dishcloths, this is one of those makes that delivers big results with relatively modest effort.
In this post, we are going to cover everything you need to know: why crochet toilet paper holders have become such a popular home décor trend, what materials you will need, how to choose the right pattern, step-by-step guidance for making your own, tips for customizing your design, and ideas for how to display or gift your finished creation. By the end, you will have all the inspiration and know-how to get started today.
Why a Crochet Toilet Paper Holder Is Worth Making
Walk into almost any home décor store and you will find toilet paper holders made of chrome, brushed nickel, or matte black metal. They are perfectly functional, of course, but they rarely inspire any real excitement. A crochet toilet paper holder, on the other hand, immediately catches the eye. It brings softness and color into a small space, and it signals something about the people who live there — that they care about the details, that they value handmade things, that they put a little extra love into even the most utilitarian corners of their home.
Beyond aesthetics, a crocheted holder is also surprisingly practical. It can stand on a tank lid, sit on a shelf, or hang from a hook on the wall. It keeps spare rolls tidy and within reach. And unlike a metal rack bolted to the wall, it requires zero installation and can be moved, updated, or replaced whenever you feel like a change.
There is also the gift angle. If you crochet, you know the particular challenge of finding handmade gifts that feel both personal and universally useful. A toilet paper holder checks every box — it is functional, it is customizable to any color scheme or personality, and it is something most people would never think to buy for themselves but genuinely appreciate.
Understanding the Different Styles
Before you dive into a pattern, it helps to know what types of crochet toilet paper holders exist, because the range is wider than you might expect.
The Standing Roll Holder is probably the most common style. It is essentially a crocheted tube or basket that holds one or more rolls upright. These are typically worked in the round and can be made to hold a single roll with a snug fit or designed as a wider basket to hold three or four extra rolls.
The Tank Topper sits on the back of the toilet tank and often features a flat or slightly rounded base. Some designs include decorative figures — a doll, an animal, or a cactus — whose skirt or body conceals the roll. These are charmingly retro and have seen a major resurgence in popularity as vintage-inspired décor has come back into style.
The Wall-Hanging Holder is designed to be mounted or hooked onto the wall. These typically feature a loop at the top and a pocket or tube for the roll itself. They keep countertops and tank lids clutter-free and work especially well in small bathrooms where every inch of surface space matters.
The Cozy or Cover is slightly different — rather than holding the roll, it wraps around it. A toilet paper cozy pulls over the roll like a sleeve and is meant to sit decoratively on a shelf or counter. These are great for beginners because they are essentially a simple rectangle or tube with minimal shaping required.
Knowing which style suits your bathroom and your skill level is the first step toward a successful finished project.
Materials You Will Need
One of the best things about this project is that it does not require an expensive or extensive supply list. Here is what you will typically need.
Yarn is the most important material choice you will make. For a toilet paper holder that needs to hold its shape, you want a yarn that has some body to it — cotton is the traditional choice and for good reason. Cotton yarn is sturdy, easy to wash, holds stitch definition beautifully, and comes in an enormous range of colors. It does not have the stretch and bounce of acrylic, which actually works in your favor here because a little stiffness helps the holder maintain its structure. Worsted weight cotton is the most commonly used option for these projects, though you can go up to bulky weight if you want a chunkier, more modern look.
If you prefer acrylic, look for a stiffer variety, or plan to add a stiffening spray or a light starch once the piece is finished. Some crafters also use jute or raffia yarn for a more natural, bohemian look that pairs beautifully with neutral bathroom décor.
Hooks should match your yarn weight. For worsted cotton, a 5mm hook is a good starting point, though many patterns will specify a size. Going down a hook size from the yarn label recommendation will give you a tighter stitch, which is usually ideal for this kind of structural project.
A Tapestry Needle is needed to weave in your yarn ends when you finish. Have one on hand before you start.
Stitch Markers are helpful for keeping track of the beginning of each round, especially if you are working in a continuous spiral, which most circular holders use.
Cardboard or Plastic Canvas is optional but useful if you want to add a stiff base to the bottom of a standing holder. Cutting a circle to fit inside the base helps the holder sit flat and stay upright with confidence.
Basic Pattern: A Simple Single Roll Holder
If you are relatively new to crochet or just want a clean, modern-looking holder without a lot of fuss, this straightforward single-roll holder is the perfect starting point. It works up in an evening and the result is genuinely polished.
You will need approximately 100 yards of worsted weight cotton yarn, a 5mm hook, stitch markers, and a tapestry needle.
Begin with a magic ring, or a foundation chain of four that you join into a ring. Work six single crochets into the center of the ring, then pull the tail to close it. Place a stitch marker at the beginning of your round. In round two, work two single crochets into each stitch around — you will have twelve stitches. In round three, work one single crochet in the first stitch, then two in the next, alternating to the end — eighteen stitches. Continue increasing in this pattern, adding six stitches per round, until your base measures approximately four and a half inches across. For most standard rolls, this means working increases through about round six, ending with thirty-six stitches.
From here, stop increasing and simply work one single crochet in each stitch, round after round, without adding or removing any stitches. This creates the walls of your holder. Continue working even rounds until the walls reach a height of about five inches — enough to hold a roll in place without covering it entirely. Finish off with a slip stitch into the next stitch, cut your yarn leaving a six-inch tail, and use your tapestry needle to weave the end in securely.
That is the foundation. From there, you can dress it up however you like — a ribbed texture, a contrasting color stripe near the top, a decorative border of shells or picots, or even a simple row of surface slip stitches that add visual interest without changing the structure.
Exploring Stitch Texture
One of the real pleasures of making a crochet toilet paper holder is experimenting with stitch texture. Because the piece is small, you can try techniques you might find daunting on a larger project, and the results read clearly even on a compact item.
The half double crochet gives a denser fabric than single crochet and has a slightly softer hand. It also works up faster. For a standing holder, working entirely in half double crochet gives a nicely thick, sturdy wall.
The back loop only technique — where you insert your hook under only the back loop of each stitch rather than both loops — creates a horizontal ribbing effect that is beautiful on these holders. It gives the finished piece a more refined, almost knitted appearance.
The moss stitch (alternating single crochets and chains, offset each row or round) creates a lovely woven texture that adds visual interest without being complicated. It works particularly well in a neutral cotton like cream or oatmeal.
The basket weave stitch is a more advanced option that creates the look of woven fabric using front and back post double crochets. It takes a bit more attention to follow the pattern but the finished result is genuinely impressive — it looks like something you might buy in a boutique home goods store.
Adding Color
A single solid color is always elegant, but color is one of the easiest ways to customize a crochet toilet paper holder for a specific bathroom or as a personalized gift.
For a clean, modern look, try a simple two-color stripe. Work the base and the first inch or two of the walls in one color, then switch to a second. Ending with a contrasting color at the top rim makes the holder look intentional and professionally designed.
For a boho or cottagecore aesthetic, consider using three or more colors in irregular stripes. Work a few rounds of one color, switch to another for a different number of rounds, and continue in an asymmetric pattern. No two holders will ever be exactly alike.
If you are comfortable with colorwork, a simple fair isle or tapestry crochet pattern — small geometric shapes, a stripe of tiny hearts, or a band of triangles — adds an extraordinary amount of personality to what is essentially a simple cylindrical form.
The Vintage Doll Toilet Paper Holder
No post about crochet toilet paper holders would be complete without acknowledging the most iconic style of all: the toilet paper doll. This design features a crocheted figure — typically a woman in a full skirt — whose wide, bell-shaped skirt conceals a roll of toilet paper. The figure sits atop the roll, and the whole thing perches on the back of the toilet tank.
These holders were enormously popular from the 1950s through the 1980s and fell out of fashion for a while, but they have come roaring back as maximalist and retro-inspired décor have found new audiences. If you search for vintage patterns, you will find incredible variety — Southern belles in pastel satin ribbon and white cotton, cowgirls in brown and denim, holiday-themed versions with Santa Claus or snowman figures, and countless others.
Making one requires a bit more skill than a simple tube holder, since you will need to work a doll head (usually a foam ball or a purchased doll head insert) and body in addition to the skirt, but the skirt itself — which is the part that actually holds the roll — is just a large circle worked outward from the waist. The increase rounds you practiced making the flat base of a regular holder are exactly the technique you need here.
If you want a quick version, you can skip the full doll and instead crochet a simple decorative topper — a crocheted cactus, a small gnome, a pumpkin for fall — and attach it to a basic tube holder below.
Tips for a Professional Finish
A few extra steps make the difference between a holder that looks homemade and one that looks handcrafted in the best sense of the word.
Blocking your finished piece makes a noticeable difference, especially with cotton yarn. Wet the holder, reshape it by pressing it around a jar or can of the right diameter, and let it dry completely. The stitches will even out and the shape will be much more consistent.
Weaving in ends carefully is essential. Use your tapestry needle to run the tail through several stitches in different directions, and trim close to the work only after the yarn is completely secure.
If your holder is going to live on a smooth surface and you are worried about it sliding, cut a small circle of non-slip shelf liner and place it inside the base. This costs almost nothing and makes the holder much more stable.
For extra structure, a light spray of fabric stiffener or a wash of diluted craft glue can stiffen the walls just enough to keep them upright without making the yarn feel stiff or unpleasant to the touch.
Gifting Ideas and Presentation
A crocheted toilet paper holder makes a wonderful housewarming gift, holiday gift, or just a thoughtful surprise for someone who appreciates handmade things. To elevate the presentation, tuck a roll of nice toilet paper or a set of pretty hand towels inside and wrap the whole thing in tissue paper and a ribbon. It is practical, personal, and unlike anything they will get from anyone else.
You can also personalize the holder by crocheting it in the recipient’s favorite colors, incorporating a motif that reflects their interests, or adding their initial using embroidery or surface crochet once the main piece is complete.
If you want to sell your crochet work, toilet paper holders are a solid choice for craft fairs, Etsy shops, and local boutiques. They are compact and light to ship, they have clear practical use, and they photograph well. Offering them in seasonal colorways — burnt orange and rust for fall, red and green for the holidays, pastels for spring — gives you an easy way to keep your inventory feeling fresh and timely.
Caring for Your Crochet Holder
Because this piece lives in a bathroom, you will want to wash it periodically. Cotton yarn is wonderfully easy to care for — most worsted cottons can go in the washing machine on a gentle cycle in cool water, then be reshaped and air dried. Avoid the dryer if you want the piece to hold its shape and color over time.
If you used a stiffening treatment, re-apply after washing once the holder has dried, as it will lose some stiffness with each wash. A light re-spray is quick and easy and keeps the structure looking intentional.
Final Thoughts
A crochet toilet paper holder is one of those small projects that punches well above its weight in terms of satisfaction. It takes only a few hours, uses a modest amount of yarn, requires no advanced skills once you are comfortable working in the round, and results in something genuinely lovely that you will enjoy seeing every day. It also opens the door to all the creative possibilities of color, texture, and design that make crochet such an endlessly rewarding craft.
Whether you go for a sleek, modern single-color tube, a richly textured basket weave holder, or a fully kitted-out vintage doll topper, the bathroom — often the last room we think to decorate — will be better for it. Pick up your hook, choose a yarn in your favorite color, and get started. You might be surprised how much joy one small, overlooked corner of your home can bring.
