Have you ever noticed how all those little everyday things never seem to have a home? Keys, wallets, loose change, and whatever else ends up on the counter or nightstand!
Well, I’ve got a fun little crochet project to help with that! Meet the Everyday Everything Tray, the 12th pattern in my Everyone’s Everyday Collection!
I actually designed this one for the Gifts for Men Blog Hop because I wanted to come up with something a little different for the guys in our lives. But honestly, I can think of all kinds of ways to use these handy little trays!
They’re perfect for keeping keys and wallets together, holding dice during family game night, or even keeping all those little LEGO pieces from ending up everywhere when the grandkids come over. And I can definitely see one sitting beside my crochet chair holding stitch markers, scissors, and other little notions!
The pattern comes in two sizes and uses two strands of cotton yarn held together, along with my signature Interlocking Row Stitch. The result is a sturdy little tray that’s practical, versatile, and fun to make.
And the best part? You can make one for just about anybody! Just change up the colors to suit whoever you’re making it for.
This post contains affiliate links and that means that if you should make a purchase from these links I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for continuing to support my small crochet business.
Jump to Section
- Inspiration Behind the Everyday Everything Tray
- About the Everyone’s Everyday Collection
- Featured in the Gifts for Men Blog Hop 2026
- Free Everyday Everything Tray Crochet Pattern
- Interlocking Row Stitch — Stitch Support
- Everyday Everything Tray — Small
- Finishing Touches & Ways to Use Your Tray
- More Patterns from the Everyone’s Everyday Collection
Inspiration Behind the Everyday Everything Tray
I love designing crochet patterns that are both beautiful and useful. That’s really what inspired my Everyone’s Everyday Collection — taking ordinary things we use every day and giving them a handmade touch.
When I started thinking about a crochet gift for men, I wanted something practical. Not another scarf or hat, but something that could sit on a nightstand, dresser, or desk and actually get used every day.
That’s how the Everyday Everything Tray came to life!
I wanted a simple rectangular shape with shallow walls, enough structure to hold its shape, and a textured base that would look good in just about any color.
The Interlocking Row Stitch was a natural choice. Its woven appearance adds beautiful texture without making the design overly complicated, and working with two strands of cotton yarn creates a thicker fabric that’s well suited for a catch-all tray.
I also decided to offer two sizes. The Small is great for keys, loose change, earbuds, or those little odds and ends. The Large gives you more room for a wallet, watch, glasses, and other everyday essentials.
And although this design started as a gift idea for men, it certainly doesn’t have to be one!
Choose soft neutrals, rustic browns, fresh blues, cheerful colors, or anything that fits your home. It’s a simple way to make a useful handmade piece feel completely your own.
Why You’ll Love the Everyday Everything Tray
Two practical sizes: Choose a smaller catch-all for little essentials or a larger tray for wallets, glasses, and other items.
Beautiful textured stitches: The Interlocking Row Stitch creates a subtle woven appearance that gives the tray plenty of handmade character.
Sturdy cotton construction: Two strands of worsted-weight cotton worked together create a thicker fabric with structure while maintaining some flexibility.
A thoughtful handmade gift: Perfect for Father’s Day, birthdays, Christmas, housewarming gifts, or simply making something useful for someone special.
Easy to personalize: From rustic neutrals to bright, playful colors, this tray can be customized to suit just about anyone.
Useful around the home: Keep one on a nightstand, dresser, entryway table, desk, or even beside your crochet chair.
About the Everyone’s Everyday Collection
The Everyone’s Everyday Collection is all about bringing beautiful handmade texture into the little things we use every day.
Each design features the signature Interlocking Row Stitch, creating a recognizable woven texture that ties the collection together.
From home accessories to practical everyday essentials, these crochet patterns are designed to be enjoyable to make and useful long after the last end is woven in.
The Everyday Everything Tray is the 12th pattern in the collection, adding a new way to bring handmade organization into your home.
Yarn + Fabric Feel
For the Everyday Everything Tray, I chose #4 worsted-weight cotton yarn, holding two strands together throughout the pattern.
Using two strands creates a thicker fabric that helps the tray maintain its shape while still keeping the finished project flexible enough for everyday use.
The base is worked flat using the Interlocking Row Stitch. Once the rectangle is complete, stitches are worked around the outside edge to build shallow walls.
One of my favorite details is the layered wall construction. A slip-stitch ridge adds definition, while the final round joins the layers together to give the walls additional structure.
The finished result is a soft but substantial crochet tray with a neat, polished edge.
Two Sizes to Choose From
Small Everyday Everything Tray
- Approximately 5″ × 7″ base
- Approximately 1″ wall height
- About 150 yards of cotton yarn total
Large Everyday Everything Tray
- Approximately 7″ × 9″ base
- Approximately 1″ wall height
- 230 yards total (115 yards of each color)
Both sizes use the same construction method, making it easy to create coordinating trays for different spaces around your home.
Skill Level
Advanced Beginner
This pattern uses the Interlocking Row Stitch along with basic crochet stitches and a few front-loop and back-loop techniques to create the structured walls.
If you’re new to the Interlocking Row Stitch, don’t worry! I have both a photo tutorial and a video tutorial to help you learn the stitch placement.
Featured in the Gifts for Men Blog Hop 2026
I’m excited to share that the Everyday Everything Tray is part of the Gifts for Men Blog Hop, hosted by Sandra of Sandra Stitches!
This fun crochet event is all about creating thoughtful, handmade gifts for the men in our lives.
Finding the perfect handmade gift for a guy isn’t always easy, which is exactly why I wanted to contribute something practical and a little different.
The Everyday Everything Tray makes a wonderful gift for husbands, dads, sons, brothers, or anyone who could use a designated spot for all those little everyday essentials.
Tuck one beside the bed for a wallet and watch, set it near the front door for keys, or keep one on a desk for those small items that never seem to have a home.
Of course, there’s no reason to stop at making these for the guys! This same pattern works beautifully for anyone who enjoys a little organization with a handmade touch.
My Feature Day: November 7, 2026
The Everyday Everything Tray will be featured on Saturday, November 7, during the Gifts for Men Blog Hop, which runs November 1–15, 2026.
Get Your Free Everyday Everything Tray PDF!
As part of the Gifts for Men Blog Hop, you can download the complete Everyday Everything Tray PDF pattern for FREE on November 7, 2026!
This special download includes both the Small and Large tray instructions, along with step-by-step stitch and wall-construction photos.
Here’s how to grab your free copy:
Simply click the Direct Download button below during my feature day. No coupon code or checkout required!
The free PDF will be available from 8:00 AM Eastern on November 7 through 8:00 AM Eastern on November 8, 2026.
After the event, the Small tray pattern will still be available for free right here on the blog, and you can purchase the complete two-size PDF through Etsy or Ravelry.
Want to see what else is happening during the Gifts for Men Blog Hop? Click below to visit Sandra’s main event post and discover even more handmade gift ideas!
Ready to Crochet Your Everyday Everything Tray?
You’ll find the complete Small Everyday Everything Tray crochet pattern written out for free right here on the blog. The premium PDF includes both sizes, along with detailed step-by-step photos.
If you prefer a clean, printable version, the premium PDF is also available through my Etsy and Ravelry shops.
The PDF includes the complete written instructions, step-by-step stitch photos, and detailed wall-construction tutorials to guide you through the project.
Whether you’re making a practical handmade gift or adding a little organization to your own space, I hope you enjoy stitching this newest addition to the Everyday Collection.
Thank y’all for supporting SASS Crochet and helping me continue sharing free crochet patterns and inspiration!
Love this pattern? Save it to Pinterest so you can come back and make another Everyday Everything Tray whenever you need a handy little handmade gift!
Free Everyday Everything Tray Crochet Pattern
Free Pattern — Small Size
Materials Needed:
Ready to crochet your own Everyday Everything Tray? Here’s what you’ll need to make the Small size!
Yarn
- #4 worsted-weight cotton yarn
- Approximately 150 yards total (75 yards of each color)
- Two strands of yarn held together throughout
Crochet Hooks
- 5.00 mm (H) crochet hook — for the base and first round around the base
- 4.00 mm (G) crochet hook — for the remaining wall rounds
Additional Supplies
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Stitch markers (optional)
Finished Size
- Small: Approximately 5″ × 7″ base
- Wall height: Approximately 1″
Gauge: 7 stitches × 5.5 rows = 2″ in Interlocking Row Stitch
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Want to make the Large tray, too? The premium PDF includes instructions for both sizes, along with step-by-step stitch and wall-construction photos to help you along the way.
Pattern Notes
Before you get started on your Everyday Everything Tray, here are a few helpful things to keep in mind!
- This pattern is written in US crochet terms.
- Two strands of yarn are held together throughout.
- The beginning chain stitch of each row or round does not count as a stitch.
- Join rounds with a slip stitch unless otherwise noted.
- Finished measurements are approximate and may vary slightly depending on your tension.
- The Small and Large trays use the same construction with different stitch and row counts.
- Blocking is optional.
Stitch Key
- BLO = back loop only
- ch = chain
- ch-sp = chain space
- dc = double crochet
- FLO = front loop only
- FSC = foundation single crochet
- rep = repeat
- Rnd = round
- sc = single crochet
- sk = skip
- sl st = slip stitch
- st(s) = stitch(es)
Interlocking Row Stitch — Stitch Support
If you’ve made any of my other Everyone’s Everyday patterns, you’re probably already familiar with my signature Interlocking Row Stitch!
This stitch creates a beautiful woven texture by working double crochets into skipped stitches two rows below. It’s one of my favorite stitches to use because it adds so much texture to even the simplest projects.
If this is your first time trying the Interlocking Row Stitch, don’t worry! Once you get the hang of where to place those double crochets, the rows start coming together beautifully.
How the Interlocking Row Stitch Works
The key is knowing where to place your double crochets.
Instead of working into the stitch directly below, you’ll work your double crochet into the skipped stitch two rows below.
Then, you’ll chain 1, skip the next stitch, and work another double crochet into the next skipped stitch two rows below, following the pattern instructions.
Need a little extra help? I’ve got you covered!
Interlocking Row Stitch Photo Tutorial
Follow along with step-by-step photos showing where to insert your hook and how the stitch comes together.
Interlocking Row Stitch Video Tutorial
Sometimes it’s easier to see a stitch in action! Watch how to place your hook and work the Interlocking Row Stitch.
Everyday Everything Tray — Small
Ready to get stitching? Let’s make your Everyday Everything Tray!
The Small tray measures approximately 5″ × 7″, with shallow walls about 1″ tall. It’s just the right size for keys, loose change, earbuds, and all those little things that need a place to land.
We’ll start by working the rectangular base flat using the Interlocking Row Stitch. Then, we’ll work around the outside edge to create the structured walls.
Base
Row 1: With the 5.00 mm (H) hook, FSC 25. Or ch 26, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each remaining ch across. (25 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (25 sc)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in 1st st, *ch 1, sk next st, sc in next st; rep from * across. (13 sc, 12 ch-sp)
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc in 1st st, dc in skipped st 2 rows below on Row 2, *ch 1, sk next st, dc in next skipped st 2 rows below; rep from * 11 times, sc in last st. (2 sc, 12 dc, 11 ch-sp)
Row 5: Ch 1, turn, sc in 1st st, ch 1, sk next st, dc in skipped st 2 rows below, *ch 1, sk next st, dc in next skipped st 2 rows below; rep from * 10 times, ch 1, sk next st, sc in last st. (2 sc, 11 dc, 12 ch-sp)
Rows 6–13: Rep Rows 4–5.
Row 14: Ch 1, turn, sc in 1st st, dc in dc 2 rows below, *sc in next dc, dc in next dc 2 rows below; rep from * across, sc in last st. (13 sc, 12 dc)
Row 15: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (25 sc)
Pattern Note: Row 14 closes the stitch pattern by filling the remaining spaces before the final solid single crochet row.
Do not fasten off. Continue to the wall rounds without turning. Keep the right side facing out; the slip-stitch ridge made in Round 2 should remain on the outside of the tray.
Walls & Finishing
Rnd 1: With the 5.00 mm (H) hook, ch 1. Work sc evenly around the entire base, working 2 sc in each corner. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
Rnd 2: Ch 1. Working in the FLO, sl st in each st around. Join with a sl st to the first sl st.
Rnd 3: Switch to the 4.00 mm (G) hook. Ch 1. Working in the unused back loops (BLO) from Round 1, sc in each st around. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
Rnd 4: Ch 1. Working in the FLO, dc in each st around. Join with a sl st to the first dc.
Rnd 5: Ch 1. Working through the back loop of each dc from Round 4 and the corresponding back loop from Round 3, sc in each st around. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Finishing Touches & Ways to Use Your Tray
Once you’ve finished crocheting your Everyday Everything Tray, take a minute to give it a little shaping. Smooth out the base, straighten the sides, and gently adjust the corners so everything sits nicely.
The double strands of cotton yarn and layered walls give the tray its structure, but it’s still crochet, so a little flexibility is perfectly normal! If you’d like firmer walls, you can add a few small stitches at the corners to help them hold their shape.
Now comes the fun part — deciding what to put in it!
I originally designed this tray with the guys in mind, but I’ve come up with so many other ways to use it that I think I need one in every room!
Here are a few ideas:
- Nightstand catch-all: A handy spot for your wallet, watch, keys, and loose change.
- Family game night: Use it as a dice-rolling tray to help keep those dice from bouncing all over the table!
- LEGO building time: Give the grandkids a place to keep those little LEGO pieces corralled while building their next project instead of scattered everywhere.
- Crochet corner: Keep your stitch markers, scissors, measuring tape, and other little notions close by.
- Entryway organizer: A designated landing spot for keys, earbuds, and whatever else comes through the door.
- Dresser or vanity: Perfect for jewelry, hair accessories, and all those little things that need a home.
And I’m sure y’all can think of even more ways to use these handy little trays!
That’s one of my favorite things about this design. It’s simple enough to fit just about anywhere, and changing the yarn colors gives each tray its own personality.
Whether you’re making one as a gift or keeping it for yourself, I hope it becomes one of those little handmade things you reach for every day.
Tester Spotlight — Everyday Everything Tray
One of my favorite parts of releasing a new crochet pattern is seeing how my wonderful pattern testers bring the design to life!
Before I share a new pattern with y’all, my testers help me check the instructions, stitch counts, and little details that make a pattern easier to follow.
A big thank-you to Michele and Stacy for helping me test the Everyday Everything Tray! I appreciate the time, yarn, and care they put into making sure this pattern is ready for you.
Just look at their beautiful finished trays! I love seeing the different colors everyone chooses and how each one gives the pattern its own personality.
More Patterns from the Everyone’s Everyday Collection
If you enjoyed making the Everyday Everything Tray, there are plenty more patterns in my Everyone’s Everyday Collection that I think you’ll love!
Each design features my signature Interlocking Row Stitch, giving everything that beautiful woven texture while turning ordinary everyday items into something a little more special.
Looking for another project? Here are a few of my favorites!
- Everyone’s Everyday Sunglasses Case — A handy little accessory for keeping your sunglasses tucked away in your purse or tote.
- Everyday Hot Pad — One of my favorite practical kitchen projects, perfect for protecting your countertops and tables.
- Everyday Washcloth — A simple cotton crochet project that’s useful around the home and makes a sweet addition to a handmade gift basket.
- Everyone’s Everyday Lapghan — A cozy blanket that brings the same beautiful texture into a larger project.
And that’s just a few of them!
Whether you enjoy making gifts, crocheting for your home, or simply trying something new, there’s a little something for everyone in this collection.
👉 Explore the Entire Everyone’s Everyday Crochet Collection
I hope you’ll take a peek and find your next favorite project!
Follow Along with SASS Crochet
I hope you’ve enjoyed making the Everyday Everything Tray as much as I enjoyed designing it! Whether you’re making one for the guys in your life, organizing your crochet supplies, or keeping those little everyday things corralled, I’d love to see what you create!
If you make one, be sure to share a photo and tag me @AngieD_SASS or @SASSCrochetDesigns on Instagram or Facebook. I always love seeing your finished projects and all the beautiful color combinations y’all come up with!
And if you haven’t already, come join me on social media for more free crochet patterns, new designs, behind-the-scenes peeks, and a little everyday crochet chatter.
Thank y’all so much for stitching along with me and supporting SASS Crochet. Until next time, happy crocheting! 🧶💕
Final Thoughts on the Everyday Everything Tray
Who knew a simple little crochet tray could have so many uses? What started as a handmade gift idea for the guys has turned into a project I can see myself making for just about everybody!
That’s one of the things I love most about crochet. We can take something as ordinary as a place to toss our keys or loose change and turn it into something useful, pretty, and handmade.
Whether you’re making one for Father’s Day, Christmas, family game night, or just because you need a little more organization around the house, I hope you have fun putting your own spin on this design.
And I’m curious — what would you use your Everyday Everything Tray for? Leave me a comment below because I’d love to hear your ideas! You might come up with something I haven’t even thought of yet!
Happy crocheting, y’all! 🧶💕
