Crochet Pattern for a Toilet Paper Holder: Easy Bathroom Decoration You Can Make at Home
There is something quietly satisfying about walking into a bathroom that feels considered. Not necessarily expensive or magazine-perfect, but thoughtful — a space where even the smallest details have been chosen with care. A handmade toilet paper holder might sound like an unlikely candidate for a home décor centerpiece, but once you have crocheted one and placed it in your bathroom, you will understand why so many crafters come back to this project again and again. It is practical, it is charming, and it is surprisingly easy to make, even if you are still building your confidence with a crochet hook.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to crochet a beautiful toilet paper holder for your bathroom. Whether you are looking for a standalone piece that sits on the floor or a wall-mounted cozy that wraps around a standard holder, this pattern can be adapted to suit your space. By the end, you will have a finished piece that looks handmade in the best possible sense — warm, textured, and completely your own.
Why Crochet a Toilet Paper Holder?
Before we get into the materials and the pattern itself, it is worth taking a moment to think about why this particular project has become such a beloved one in the crafting community. A quick search online will turn up hundreds of variations — tall freestanding holders, hanging wall pockets, decorative covers for existing plastic holders, and everything in between. The reason is simple: this project sits at the perfect intersection of function and decoration.
A crocheted toilet paper holder solves a real problem. Standard toilet paper holders are often cold-looking chrome or plastic fixtures that do nothing to warm up a bathroom. A handmade crochet version introduces texture, color, and personality. It also keeps your spare rolls organized and within easy reach, which is both practical and visually tidy.
From a skill perspective, this is an ideal project for anyone who has mastered the basics — chain stitch, single crochet, and slip stitch — and wants to create something genuinely useful without committing to a large, complex project like a blanket or garment. Most versions of this pattern can be completed in a single afternoon or evening, making it an excellent choice for a crafting session when you want a finished result quickly.
There is also the gift factor. A crocheted toilet paper holder, especially when made in colors chosen to match someone’s bathroom, makes a wonderfully personal and practical gift. It signals that you put thought and time into the present, which is something no store-bought item can quite replicate.
Materials You Will Need
One of the best things about this project is how few materials it requires. You likely already have most of what you need in your craft supplies.
Yarn: Choose a medium-weight yarn (also labeled as worsted weight or category 4) for the best results. Cotton yarn is particularly well-suited to bathroom projects because it holds its shape, is easy to clean, and has a slightly structured texture that works beautifully in this context. Acrylic yarn also works well and comes in a much wider range of colors. Avoid very bulky yarn for this pattern, as it can make the finished piece too stiff, and very fine yarn will require significantly more time and result in a softer, less structured holder.
You will need approximately 100 to 150 grams of yarn, depending on the size of the holder you are making. If you are using two colors, plan for about 100 grams of the main color and 50 grams for any contrast or accent work.
Crochet Hook: A 4.0 mm or 4.5 mm hook pairs well with medium-weight yarn and gives you a firm, even fabric that holds its shape. If you are using cotton, you might find a 3.5 mm hook gives you a crisper result. Always check your yarn label for the recommended hook size, and remember that your tension may mean you need to go up or down half a size to match the gauge.
Stitch Markers: These are optional but genuinely helpful, especially when working in continuous rounds. A simple piece of contrasting yarn or a commercial stitch marker helps you keep track of where each round begins.
Scissors and a Yarn Needle: You will need these to finish off your work, weave in ends neatly, and join any seams if your chosen variation requires it.
Optional Embellishments: Small wooden beads, ribbon woven through the top edge, or simple embroidery on the finished piece can add personality. A piece of cardboard cut into a circle and placed in the base can add extra stability if you are making a freestanding version.
Understanding the Pattern Structure
This pattern is written for a freestanding cylindrical holder that fits a standard toilet paper roll, which measures approximately 10 centimeters in diameter and 12 centimeters tall. The finished holder will be slightly larger than the roll itself so that the paper slides in and out easily. You can adjust the height by adding or removing rounds, and you can adjust the diameter by changing the number of stitches in your foundation round.
The pattern works in continuous rounds from the bottom up. You will begin with a magic ring or a foundation chain joined into a circle, build the flat base, then work the sides straight up to your desired height. An optional decorative edging at the top finishes the piece neatly.
Gauge: Approximately 16 single crochet stitches and 18 rows equal 10 centimeters using 4.0 mm hook and medium-weight cotton yarn. Gauge is not critical for this project, but checking it will help you predict the finished size of your holder.
Abbreviations used in this pattern:
MR — magic ring
ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
inc — increase (two stitches worked into one stitch)
st — stitch
rnd — round
The Pattern: Step by Step
Part One: The Base
The base is a flat circle that forms the bottom of your holder. You will increase stitches with each round to keep it flat and prevent curling.
Round 1: Make a magic ring. Work 6 sc into the ring. Pull the tail to close the ring. (6 sts)
Round 2: Work 2 sc (inc) into each stitch around. (12 sts)
Round 3: Sc 1, inc — repeat from to around. (18 sts)
Round 4: Sc 2, inc — repeat from to around. (24 sts)
Round 5: Sc 3, inc — repeat from to around. (30 sts)
Round 6: Sc 4, inc — repeat from to around. (36 sts)
Round 7: Sc 5, inc — repeat from to around. (42 sts)
At the end of round 7, you should have a flat circle approximately 12 to 13 centimeters in diameter. If you want a wider base, add another increase round: sc 6, inc around, giving you 48 stitches. For a narrower base, stop after round 6 with 36 stitches. The circle should lie flat and not cup or ruffle at the edges. If it cups, your tension is too tight; if it ruffles, loosen your tension or use a smaller hook.
Part Two: The Sides
Now you will work straight up to create the cylindrical walls of the holder. To make the transition from the flat base to the upright sides, you simply stop increasing and work each stitch into each stitch without any increases or decreases.
Round 8: Working into the back loops only (blo) of each stitch in round 7, sc in each stitch around. (42 sts)
Working through the back loop only in this transition round creates a clean, defined edge between the base and the sides, which gives the finished holder a neat, professional look.
Rounds 9 through 26: Sc in each stitch around. (42 sts per round)
Continue in this way for 18 rounds, or until the sides of your holder are approximately 12 to 13 centimeters tall. This is enough to snugly hold a standard toilet paper roll with a small amount of roll visible above the top edge, which makes it easy to grab.
If you want the holder to be taller — to conceal more of the roll, for example — simply continue working straight rounds until you reach your desired height. Likewise, if you want a shorter, more decorative version, you can stop earlier.
Part Three: The Top Edging
A simple decorative edging finishes the top of the holder and prevents the edge from rolling or looking unfinished. There are several options depending on the look you prefer.
Simple Single Crochet Edge: Sc around the top edge, then sl st to join. Fasten off and weave in ends. This is clean and minimal.
Reverse Single Crochet (Crab Stitch) Edge: Work one round of single crochet, then work a round of reverse single crochet (working right to left instead of left to right) for a twisted rope effect that looks elegant and is more substantial.
Picot Edge: Sc 1, ch 3, sl st into the first of the 3 chains, sc 1 — repeat around. This creates small loops along the top edge that give a delicate, lacy appearance without requiring any advanced lace techniques.
Double Crochet Shell Edge: Skip 1 st, 5 dc into next st, skip 1 st, sl st into next st — repeat around. This creates shell shapes that give the top edge a more decorative, feminine finish.
Finishing Touches and Customization
Once you have fastened off and woven in all your ends neatly with a yarn needle, your holder is essentially complete. But there are a few ways to personalize it further and make sure it performs well in a bathroom environment.
Blocking: Gently blocking your finished piece — either by dampening it with water and shaping it by hand, or by using steam — will help it hold a more precise cylindrical shape. Cotton yarn responds especially well to wet blocking. Simply shape the damp piece around a cylindrical object (a can of food works well) and leave it to dry completely before using.
A Sturdy Base: If you find that your holder tends to tip over, particularly if you are using a lighter-weight yarn, cut a circle of cardboard or thick felt to fit snugly inside the base. This adds weight and structure without being visible from the outside.
Color and Stripe Variations: This is where you can really make the project your own. Simple stripes are created by changing yarn color at the beginning of a new round — simply drop your current color, join the new one with a sl st or simply begin crocheting with it, and carry the unused color loosely up the inside of the work if you are alternating every few rounds. Wider stripes have a bold, modern feel; narrow two-row stripes have a more classic look reminiscent of Scandinavian design.
Textured Stitches: The basic pattern uses single crochet, which gives a firm, dense fabric ideal for a structured holder. If you want more visual interest, you can substitute half double crochet for a slightly taller, more open fabric, or use a moss stitch (alternating sc and ch 1, then working into the chain spaces on the return row) for a beautifully textured surface. Both variations produce a slightly airier fabric, so if using them, consider going down half a hook size to keep the structure firm enough.
Adding a Handle: Some crafters add a small crocheted loop or braided cord handle near the top of the holder, making it easy to lift and carry. To do this, simply chain 15 to 20 stitches at the end of your work, attach the chain to a point on the opposite side of the top edge with a sl st, and weave in the end securely. This is especially useful if your holder lives on a shelf rather than beside the toilet.
Caring for Your Crocheted Toilet Paper Holder
Because this piece lives in a bathroom, it will inevitably encounter humidity, dust, and occasional splashes. The good news is that most yarn suitable for this project is very easy to care for.
Cotton yarn can typically be machine washed on a gentle cycle with cool water and laid flat to dry. Acrylic yarn is similarly easy to wash and dries quickly. Always check the yarn label for specific care instructions, as some specialty yarns require hand washing or have temperature restrictions.
It is a good idea to wash your holder every few weeks, especially if it lives close to the toilet. Give it a quick shake out before washing to remove any dust or debris. Cotton yarn actually tends to soften slightly with washing and becomes even nicer to handle over time.
Variations to Try Once You Have Mastered the Basic Pattern
Once you have made one holder and become comfortable with the structure, there are several interesting directions you can take this project.
A hanging wall pocket version uses the same basic cylinder but is worked flat as a half-circle, then seamed and attached to a length of driftwood or a dowel for hanging. This variation holds one or two rolls and creates a beautiful rustic display piece.
A multi-roll floor basket is simply the same pattern worked on a larger scale — more stitches in the base, more rounds on the sides, and perhaps a thicker yarn and larger hook — to create a standing basket that holds an entire pack of toilet paper. This makes an excellent addition to a bathroom with limited cabinet space.
A toilet paper cozy that wraps around an existing holder (rather than serving as a standalone piece) is worked as a flat rectangle, seamed into a cylinder, and sized to fit snugly over a standard holder. This is a great project if you want to soften the look of a plastic or chrome fixture without replacing it.
Sharing Your Work
One of the great pleasures of making something by hand is sharing it — whether by gifting the finished piece, teaching someone else the pattern, or posting a photograph to a crafting community online. If you make this holder, consider photographing it in its bathroom setting with a roll of paper inside, so that others can see the scale and the finished look in context. Natural light gives yarn colors their truest appearance, and a simple, uncluttered background lets the texture of the crochet speak for itself.
Many crafters find that this project becomes a staple of their handmade gift repertoire — made in different colors to suit different bathrooms, with different edgings for different aesthetics, and always received with genuine delight. There is something about a handmade bathroom accessory that feels both generous and practical, which is a combination that is harder to find than it might seem.
If you have been looking for a project that gives you a tangible, useful result without requiring weeks of work or an advanced skill set, this crochet pattern for a toilet paper holder is an excellent choice. Pick up your hook, choose a yarn in a color you love, and spend an afternoon making something that will brighten your bathroom every single day.
