A free pattern for the most functional farmyard friend you'll ever make
I have a bit of a problem. Every single night I put my glasses down somewhere "logical" and every single morning I spend ten minutes looking for them. My nightstand, the bathroom counter, the kitchen, they migrate. So I did what any reasonable crafter does and decided to crochet a solution.
Enter: the chicken glasses tray.
I know. I know. But hear me out, she's sitting on my nightstand right now and she makes me genuinely happy every time I walk into my bedroom. My glasses go in her little oval belly every night without fail because honestly, how could I not? She has a comb. She has a beak. She has the sweetest little expression. She is doing her best.
If you want to make your own, keep scrolling. The full free pattern is below.
Let's Talk About How Cute She Actually Is
Look at her. Just look at her.
The three little red peaks of the comb sit right along the top edge like she means business. The mustard yellow beak is this perfect little rounded mound, not flat, not pointy, just a soft golden bump that gives her so much character. And those black safety eyes sitting close together, low on her face, give her the most earnest kawaii expression I've ever seen on a crochet tray.
The inside is clean and smooth. Your glasses, rings, keys, whatever you're putting in there will sit flat without sliding around. The sides hold their shape. The ridge from the front-loop-only round keeps everything structured without any stiffening or blocking required.
She works. She's cute. What more do you want.
Materials You'll Need
Abbreviations
This pattern is written in US Standard Crochet Terms.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| sc | Single crochet |
| hdc | Half double crochet |
| tr | Treble crochet |
| inc | Increase — 2 sc in the same stitch |
| sl st | Slip stitch |
| ch | Chain |
| BLO | Back loop only |
| FLO | Front loop only |
| mc | Magic circle |
| st(s) | Stitch(es) |
The Chicken Glasses Holder Pattern
Foundation Chain
Chain 17. This is the length of your oval base.
Round 1
Work into the back bump of each foundation chain , this closes up the gap along the bottom edge and makes the whole base look much neater.
- 3 sc in the second chain from the hook
- 1 sc in each of the next 14 ch
- 3 sc in the last chain
- Working back along the bottom of the foundation chain, in both loops: 1 sc in each of the next 14 ch
- Join with a sl st to the first sc
Round 2
The ch 1 at the beginning of this and every following round does not count as a stitch. Start working in the same stitch you just slip-stitched into.
- Ch 1
- inc in the next 3 sts
- 1 sc in each of the next 14 sts
- inc in the next 3 sts
- 1 sc in each of the next 14 sts
- Join with a sl st
Round 3
- Ch 1
- [sc, inc] × 3
- 1 sc in each of the next 14 sts
- [sc, inc] × 3
- 1 sc in each of the next 14 sts
- Join with a sl st
Round 4
- Ch 1
- [inc, 2 sc] × 3
- 1 sc in each of the next 14 sts
- [inc, 2 sc] × 3
- 1 sc in each of the next 14 sts
- Join with a sl st
Alternating where the increase falls each round is what keeps the oval smooth rather than pointy at the ends. You'll start to see the shape come together here.
Round 5
- Ch 1
- [3 sc, inc] × 3
- 1 sc in each of the next 14 sts
- [3 sc, inc] × 3
- 1 sc in each of the next 14 sts
- Join with a sl st
Round 6
- Ch 1
- [inc, 4 sc] × 3
- 1 sc in each of the next 14 sts
- [inc, 4 sc] × 3
- 1 sc in each of the next 14 sts
- Join with a sl st
🎉 Your flat base is done! Take a second to admire it, a nice even oval is genuinely satisfying.
Rounds 7 – 9
Start Round 7 in the front loop only. This creates a clean ridge around the base of the tray and makes the sides stand up straight instead of flopping outward.
- sc all the way around, join with a sl st
Repeat for Rounds 8 and 9.
Round 10 The Comb Round ✨
This is the fun part. Put a stitch marker at stitch 53 before you start so you're not counting in a panic mid-round.
- sc in the next 52 sts
Comb , work all of the following in the back loop only:
- hdc in the next st
- 5 tr in the next st
- sc in the next st
- hdc in the next st
- 5 tr in the next st
- hdc in the next st
- sc in the next st
- 5 tr in the next st
- hdc in the next st
- sc in the remaining sts to finish the round
- Join with a sl st
Working the comb in the back loop only is what makes those three little peaks stand up on their own. Make sure your comb sits centered at the very top of the oval. Adjust your stitch marker before you start if needed.
The Beak
Use mustard yellow yarn for this. The warm golden tone is so much more charming than flat orange and really sells the whole chicken vibe.
- Round 1: 3 sc in a magic circle (3)
- Round 2: [inc] × 3 (6)
- Round 3: [2 sc, inc] × 3 (9)
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing. Sew it centered onto the front of the tray, sitting in the middle of the face.
Eye Placement
This part matters more than you'd think. For that sweet kawaii expression, the eyes should be:
👁️ Place eyes close together, on either side of the beak, sitting low on the face roughly level with the beak. Too wide apart or too high and she'll look startled instead of sweet. Test placement before committing!
If you have kids in the house, embroider the eyes with black yarn using an embroidry floss instead of safety eyes , same look, fully childproof.
Finishing
- Sew the beak on first, then position the eyes around it
- Glue the eyes or burn the back as shown in picture to stay secure and doesn't have a bump
- Crochet a second oval following Rounds 1–6 and sew it to the bottom for stability, or cut a piece of felt to fit and attach with fabric glue
- Weave in all ends
That's it. She's done and she's perfect.
What This Tray Is Actually Good For
I called it a glasses holder and that's how I use mine — but this tray earns its spot anywhere you put it.
Tips for Making Your Own Chicken Tray
Experiment with colors. Yellow, buff, speckled, black , any yarn color becomes a completely different chicken. A speckled grey with a red comb looks incredibly realistic. A soft lavender one is completely unhinged and I respect it.
Add a wattle. Make a small teardrop shape in red and sew it under the beak. Very authentic chicken energy.
Make it a gift. This project makes a wonderful gift paired with a little handwritten note. Everyone loves a handmade, functional piece.
Watch your tension. For a tray that holds its shape, aim tighter than usual , especially through Rounds 1 to 6. If your oval looks floppy before you start the sides, go down a hook size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Show Me Your Chicken!
Share your finished tray in the comments or tag me on Instagram @yarnific or use #yarnific. Different colors, different textures, they all look completely unique and I love every single one. She deserves to be seen.
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