My Book Reader free knitting pattern toilet roll cover will show you how to knit a simple but quirky toilet paper cover that makes your TP look like it has little arms and legs and is reading a book!

About The Knit Book reader holder

If you’re looking for a fun and easy knitting project that’s sure to make people smile, my Book Reader free knitting pattern toilet roll cover is just the thing!

This quirky little design turns an ordinary roll of toilet paper into an unique character with tiny arms, legs, and even has a knitted book in its hands making it look like it’s reading.

Designed to fit standard-sized toilet rolls, the knitted cover adds a touch of humour to your bathroom while keeping your TP dust-free and decorative.

I originally created this knitted version after the crochet version went viral, and I knew I had to share a pattern for all my fellow knitters.

Whether you’re crafting it for your own bathroom or as a fun gift, this knitted toilet roll cover is sure to be a conversation starter, and a hilarious nod to the joy of both yarn crafts and good humor.

How to Knit a Book Reader Toilet Paper holder?

To knit the Book Reader toilet roll cover, you’ll follow easy, simple-to-follow instructions that guide you through each step of the process, from casting on to shaping the arms, legs, and knitting the book.

The free knitting pattern is designed to be simple to follow, using basic knitting techniques and stitches. You can use 3.5 mm double-pointed needles (DPNs) or cabled knitting needles, depending on your preference and what you’re comfortable with.

For added structure, there’s an optional plastic mesh insert that can be used to give your toilet roll reader a bit more stability.

Prefer Crochet?

If knitting is not your thing, I also have free crochet patterns for the Book Reader and Phone Scroller toilet paper holders.

Crochet Book Reader

Crochet Phone Scroller

About the yarn

To make my book reader holder, I used Lily Sugar’n Cream Cone, a worsted weight 4 yarn in white.

See The Yarn

Upgrade the Book Reader toilet paper holder Knit pattern

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Book Reader Toilet Paper Holder: Free Knitting Pattern

Knit Pattern Information:

Supplies:

• 3.5 mm dpn’s and/or cabled needles
• Lily Sugar’n Cream Cone, weight (4) worsted, 100% cotton
  Shown in color: White; approx. 180 yds.
• Plastic Mesh Canvas (1 sheet)
  *Note: Pattern can be made without the plastic canvas, but it will not be as sturdy.

Yarn:

Lily Sugar’n Cream Cone, weight (4) worsted, 100% cotton, 180 yds, Shown in color: White

Finished Size:

6” (15 cm) wide side to side, 7” (17.5 cm) wide front to back x 3.5” (9 cm) tall at back

Abbreviations (US Terms):

• CO: Cast on
• k: knit
• kfb: knit front and back of stitch (increases 1 st)
• p: purl
• pm: place marker
• rep: repeat
• rnd(s): round(s)
• st(s): stitch
• yo: yarn over

Skill level:

Easy

Notes:

• TP holder is worked in parts and sewn together.
• Bottom, back, arms, and book are all reinforced with Plastic Mesh Canvas cut to size.

Copyright Notice:

Pattern is sole property of Carol Hladik Designs. Please do not copy or reproduce in any way. 

You are welcome to sell finished items made from this pattern, but please credit me as the designer in your posts.

Free Knit Pattern: Book reader toilet paper holder

Cut Plastic Mesh Canvas for all pieces before beginning.

Pieces do not need to be exact, but for best results aim for close.

For Base: Cut a circle with a 5” diameter (does not need to be perfectly circle)

For Back: Cut a rectangle 8” long and 2” wide

For Arms: Cut 2 rectangles 3” long and .5” wide

For Book: Cut a rectangle 3.5” long and 2.75” wide.

Base: Make 2

Worked in the round

CO 8 sts, pm to mark BOR

Rnd 1 (RS): K around. (8 sts)

Rnd 2: Kfb around. (16 sts)

Rnds 3 – 4: K around.

Rnd 5: Kfb around. (32 sts)

Rnd 6 – 9: K around.

Rnd 10: Kfb around. (64 sts)

Rnd 11 – 18: K around.

Rnd 19: *Kfb, k7; rep from * around. (72 sts)

Rnd 20:  K around.

Rnd 21: *K 8, kfb; rep from * around. (80 sts)

Bind off in your favorite stretchy bind off. I used Jeny’s surprisingly stretchy bind off.

Lay first circle with WS facing up, thread the center tail onto a tapestry needle and feed it through the center of the plastic mesh circle, then through the center of the second circle from WS to RS (RS of both circles should be facing out). Make sure both center tails are on the outside of the circles to secure later.

With a length of yarn, whip stitch around the outside edge of both circles to seam them together. Once the outside edge is complete, weave in the ends of the outside edge. Thread one center tail back onto the needle and secure the center of the circle by working the stitches through all layers, weave in the end and repeat for the second tail.

Set piece aside.

Back: Make 2

Worked in turned rows

CO 14

Row 1 (RS): K across (14 sts)

Row 2 (WS): P across

Rows 3 – 64: Rep Rows 1 and 2

Bind off.

On second piece leave a tail 3 times the length of the piece for seaming.

As with the base, you will be joining the two pieces with the plastic canvas between the pieces. Using the attached yarn and a tapestry needle whip stitch the two pieces together with the RS of both pieces facing out. Weave in ends.

Set aside.

Arms: Make 1

Worked in turned rows

CO 75

Row 1 (RS): K across (75 sts)

Row 2 (WS): P across

Rows 3 – 13: Rep Rows 1 and 2

Bind off.

Attaching the Back and Arms

The back piece will curve around the back of the base.

Line up a long edge of the back piece with the outside edge of the base. Using a piece of yarn and a tapestry needle, seam the back to the base making sure they are secure, and that the back stands on its own.

You will be attaching the arm piece over the top of the back piece. With the arm piece folded in half lengthwise locate the center of the piece and the center of the top of the back piece and pin in place. Using a piece of yarn and a tapestry needle attach the arm piece to the back piece on both the front and the back. The arm piece will create a “cap” on the back piece.

Using a tapestry needle, seam the bottom edges of the arms from the back piece to the outer edge on both sides. Fold the plastic canvas pieces for the arms in half lengthwise to create a “c” shape and slide one into each seamed end. I found that wrapping the pieces in painters tape helps them hold their shape and makes them slide into the hole easier.  

Hands

Worked in rounds

Working directly into the opening at the end of the arm, pick up 8 sts beginning at the bottom seam and working around, pm for BOR. (8 sts)

Rnd 1 (RS): K around.

Rnd 2: Kfb around. (16 sts)

Rnd 3: K around.

Rnd 4: Kfb around. (32 sts)

Rnds 5-6: K around.

Bind off. Repeat for second hand.

Set aside.

Feet and Legs: Make 2

Worked in the round.

CO 6 sts, pm to mark BOR.

Rnd 1 (RS): Kfb around. (12 sts)

Rnd 2: *K1, kfb; rep from * around. (18 sts)

Rnds 3: K around.

Rnd 4: *K2, kfb; rep from * around. (24 sts)

Rnd 5 – 7: K around.

Rnd 8: *K2, k2tog; rep from * around. (18 sts)

Rnd 9: *K2tog, k2, k2tog; rep from * around. (12 sts)

Rnds 10: K around.

Stuff foot.

Rnds 11 – 30: K around. Do not stuff the leg.

Bind off leaving a tail to attach the leg to the base.

Attach legs to the front of the base leaving 4 to 5 sts between the legs. Make sure each leg is secure before weaving in ends.

With a separate piece of yarn and a tapestry needle, seam across the top of the foot, where the stuffing ends and the leg begins to give the feet some definition. Weave in ends.

Book

Worked in turned rows

Back Piece

Front cover

CO 17

Row 1 (RS): K across (17 sts)

Row 2 (WS): P across

Rows 3 – 14: Rep Row 1 and 2

Rows 15: Rep Row 1

Spine:
Row 16: Rep Row 1

Row 17: Rep Row 2

Back cover

Row 18: Rep Row 2

Rows 19 – 32: Rep Row 1 and Row 2

Bind off.

Inside Piece

CO 17

Row 1 (RS): K across (17 sts)

Row 2 (WS): P across

Rows 3 – 30: Rep Row 1 and 2

Row 31: Rep Row 1

Bind off.

Place plastic mesh canvas between the two pieces of the book with RS of both pieces facing out. Seam around entire book in same fashion as the back piece.

Using the tails of the hands, seam the hands to the outside of the book.  

Weave in all ends, and add a roll of toilet paper!

Stay in Touch

I hope you enjoyed this knit pattern!

I would love to see your finished items! Tag me on Instagram or Facebook with your completed knit projects: @carol_hladik_designs

Happy Knitting!

~ Carol