Knit version
Because toilet paper covers are cool.
Dimensions: To fit your roll of toilet paper. The sample measures 5" in diameter by 4.75" high (13cm by 12cm)
Supplies:
Hook: To give a fabric you like with the yarn you're using. The sample was made with a US H8/5mm hook, but a J10/6mm may be better. (This cover stands on its own, which may not be the effect you want. For a drapier fabric, use a larger hook.)Yarn needle: To weave in ends
Stitch markers: safety pins, bobby pins, scraps of yarn - at least one, possibly more as needed (If you buy official stitch markers, be sure to get split rings or safety pin types. Unbroken ring markers are good for knitting, but not for crochet.)
Toilet paper roll: Yep. This is more couture toilet roll fashion. Custom made to fit that particular roll.
Yarn:
Vanna's Choice, Color 113, Scarlet: one skein (the sample used about 2oz/100yds)
Vanna's Choice, Color 153, Black: small amount for optional tassel (the sample used .1oz/5yds)
The sample used about 2oz/100yds red yarn (worked fairly tightly on a 5mm hook) and .1oz/5yds black. If your roll of toilet paper is larger, you may need more yarn.
Pattern:
The basic idea of making a circle is that you increase the number of stitches in each round by the number of stitches that you had in the first round. So if you have 7 USsc in the first round, the second round will have 14, and the third round will have 21, and the fourth round will have 28 and so on. You do this by working 1 stitch into a certain number of sc from the previous round, then working 2 sc into the next stitch. So if you have finished the 5th round, you have 35 stitches, and you want to increase to 42. You would work four sc in a row, then work 2 sc into the next sc, then four more sc, then another increase.
Use common sense, though. Put the circle down occasionally. If it is cupping, you need to work more increases. If it is ruffling, you need to work fewer.
And do NOT be afraid to frog. It's just yarn.
Abbreviations:sc: Single crochet - US terms. Double crochet - UK, Australia, and probably a bunch of other places.
Please note: This pattern uses US crochet terms. If it says sc, it's a USsc/UKdc.
Top:
With red, chain 4 stitches, join in a ring.
Round 1: Chain 1 (counts as first sc), work 7 sc into ring. Mark last sc made with a stitch marker (=7sc)
Round 2: 2 sc into first sc of previous round, 2 sc into each sc around, move stitch marker to new last sc (=14 sc)
Round 3: *2 sc into next sc, sc into next sc, repeat from * around, move stitch marker to new last sc (=21 sc)
Round 4: *2 sc into next sc, sc into each of next 2 sc, repeat from * around, move stitch marker to new last sc (=28 sc)
Round 5: *2 sc into next sc, sc into each of next 3 sc, repeat from * around, move stitch marker to new last sc (=35 sc)
Rounds 6-?: repeat round 5, increasing the number of plain sc ("sc into each of next __ sc") by one stitch each round, until the circle is just slightly larger than the roll.
Math time!:
1. Count the number of stitches you have in a round _____
2. Is this evenly divisible by four? If not, work one more round, increasing 1, 2 or 3 times, to bring the number of stitches to a multiple of 4. Write the new number here _____
3. Divide by 4 _____
4. Subtract 1 _____
Sides:
Rounds 1-5: sc into each sc, moving marker up at the end of each round
Round 6: *sc into each sc (see step 4 in Math time! for the number of sc to make), 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * 3 more times (=4 sts increased)
Repeat Rounds 1-6 (increasing the number of plain sc in round 6 by one stitch each repeat) until the fez is tall enough to cover the roll. Slip stitch into next stitch, break yarn, weave in ends. Remove stitch markers.
Admire.
Make optional tassel.
Tassel
1. Wrap yarn around toilet paper roll a dozen times or so. Cut yarn.
2. Cut another piece of yarn about 18"/50cm.
3. Tie ends together.
4. Slip this yarn loop under the loops on the roll.
5. Hold one end of the yarn loop still, and put your index finger into the other end of the yarn loop. (Take a look at the ply of the yarn. If it's plied S, use your right hand. If it's plied Z, use your left hand.)
6. Twirl your finger in a sort of "whoopdedoo" way to twist the yarn. (If it looks like the plies of yarn are separating rather than getting more tightly twisted, switch hands.)
7. Keep twirling.
8. And twirling.
9. If you see the yarn start to kink, that's a good sign. Twirl a bit more, then bring the two ends together.
10. They'll start to coil around each other. This is good.
11. They'll spin the roll of toilet paper in the process. This is entertaining.
12. When things look stable, check the twist. If it looks good, knot the two ends together with an overhand knot. Otherwise, pull the ends apart (more toilet paper spinning, yay!) and twist the yarn some more.
13. Slide the dozen loops off the roll, then tie an overhand knot at the point where the loops meet the cord. (It's easier to do this by tying the knot very low on the cord than by trying to tie the loops themselves.)
14. Cut loops
15. Attach tassel to fez by feeding knot through the center hole. The overhand knot will anchor it.
So there you have it. A toilet paper cover that's sure to be admired by all. Because fezzes are cool.