Dora’s ridiculous free crochet toilet roll skirt pattern (aka how to hide loo paper from the kids)

Someone sent me a meme last night of one of those knitted toilet roll covers with the big doll skirts, with a line about hiding toiler paper from the children (they weren’t the first to send or tag me in such a picture…).

This was just after my sister had been telling me she’d hidden hers too. Kids are not so appreciative of the need to monitor this precious resource it seems!

So anyway, I have a whole bunch of stuff I’m meant to be doing this afternoon, but apparently my brain had other ideas, so I thought I’d have a go at knocking up a crochet version for a little light relief…

I don’t have kids and I don’t have dolls so this little beanie rat was the best I could substitute with!!

I hope you find this to be some light hearted comic relief in this quick stashbusting pattern, for that is my primary intention!

This post contains affiliate links. This means if you click a link to a product and go on to make a purchase, I receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. You can read my full affiliate disclosure here. It helps me keep on giving you this kind of ridiculous fun!

Materials

I used a 5 mm hook and a about 100m / 50g (half a ball) of West Yorkshire Spinners Aire Valley Aran in blue lagoon, but any worsted or aran weight yarn will do!

A toilet roll (no toilet roll was wasted in the making of this pattern!!)

A doll about the size of a Barbie or similar (or a rat…)

Yarn Needle

Scissors

Skill Level

This is a beginner friendly (adventurous beginner) pattern.

You’ll need to know the basic crochet terms and abbreviations. The pattern is worked in rounds, turning at the end of each round.

It uses front and back double crochet, also known as post stitches (UK raised stitches) and is actually a really good way to practice with them if you are new to working round posts.

Stitches Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch = chain
• dc = double crochet (UK treble)
• fpdc = front post double crochet (UK Raised Treble Front) – click here for a front and back post stitch description / tutorial
• bpdc = back post double crochet (UK Raised Treble Back)
• hdc = half double crochet
• hdc2tog = half double crochet 2 together (UK half treble 2 together) – learn how to make simple decreases here
• rep = repeat
• ss = slip stitch
• WS = wrong side
• RS = right side

Finished Measurements

The cover measures around 37cm / 15in in circumference and is about 12cm / 5in tall

Gauge

You’ll probably never see me write this again but don’t worry about gauge… Now isn’t the time! This is just for fun!

That said, my gauge was about 14 sts and 13 rows in 10 cm of stitch pattern: Row 1: alternating hdc and fpdc, Row 2: alternating bpdc and hdc.

Pattern Notes

• Ch2 at the beginning of the round does not count as a stitch
• The first stitch of each round is worked in the top of the first stitch from the previous round
• Stitches should be worked in consecutive stitches unless otherwise specified
• Instructions in (brackets) should be worked in or around the same stitch
• Instructions after * asterisks should be repeated as indicated
• Numbers at the end of a round indicate the number of stitches in that round 

The Pattern

Ch24, ss to first chain to make a loop

Round 1 (WS): Ch2 (does not count as st throughout), 1dc in each st around, ss to top of first st, turn. 24 sts

The hole in the centre should be a bit smaller than the inner of your loo roll and your toy should fit through it.

Round 2 (RS): Ch2, (1fpdc, 1hdc) in each st to end, ss to top of first st, turn. 48 sts

Round 3: Ch2, *1hdc in hdc, 1bpdc round fpdc; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn. 48 sts

Round 4: Ch2, *(1fpdc, 1hdc) in bpdc, 1hdc in hdc; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn. 72 sts

Round 5: Ch2, *1hdc in next 2 hdc, 1bpdc round fpdc; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn. 72 sts

Round 6: Ch2, *1fpdc round bpdc, hdc2tog; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn. 48 sts

Your skirt will have started to curl in and should over the top of your roll.

Round 7: Ch2, *1hdc, 1bpdc round fpdc; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn. 48 sts

Round 8: Ch2, *1fpdc around bpdc, 1hdc; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn. 48 sts

Rounds 9 – 20: Repeat rounds 7 and 8.

You can work more round reps if needed, ensuring you finish on a round 8 rep.

Round 21: Ch2, 2hdc in each st to end, ss to top of first st

Fasten off, sew in end

Attaching your doll

Tuck your doll (or weird beanie rat) through the centre of it’s skirt and, taking a 10inch piece of yarn (if the starting tail is long enough you can use this) and weave it in and out alternate stitches of the starting ch24 and secure tightly around the waist of your doll.

Insert your doll / toy into the centre of the roll et voila!

Next level loo roll camo!!!

I hope you have a bit of fun with this – I’d love to see how you get on if you have a play… use #dorastoiletrollcover (that maybe the most ridiculous hashtag I’ve ever written!) if you fancy sharing on social.

And do feel free to share this post with any of your crochet parent friends if you think it might bring a smile!!

Happy Hooking

Dx