This little wall organizer is one of those projects I love because it turns an ordinary household item into something genuinely useful, cheerful, and easy to live with. For this version, I crochet thick coral reef-colored yarn through a plastic ice cube tray with a few dividers trimmed back, then add a simple wall mount so it becomes an outdoor sunglass holder that is perfect for a pool house, mudroom, porch entry, or any sunny spot where glasses always seem to pile up.
What makes it especially nice is that it is beginner-friendly, quick to finish, and sturdy enough to handle daily use. If you enjoy practical DIYs with a crafty touch, this is a fun afternoon project, and I especially like it for families because everyone can have their own little compartment for sunglasses.
Materials
Instructions
1. Wash and dry the ice cube tray so the yarn stays clean, then inspect the tray and choose the side that will face outward on the wall.
2. Mark the dividers you want to partially remove so each sunglass slot has a little more room; I like trimming every other divider down by about half their height.
3. Carefully trim the marked dividers with the utility knife or sturdy scissors, removing only the top half of each selected divider so the tray keeps its overall shape.
4. Smooth every cut edge with fine-grit sandpaper, then wipe the tray clean with a damp cloth so there are no rough spots to snag the yarn.
5. Make a slip knot and begin feeding the chunky yarn through one outer opening of the tray, using the crochet hook to pull loops through and around the plastic grid.
6. Work across the front of the tray by pulling up loops through each opening and chaining or slip stitching between sections, covering the plastic edges while leaving each compartment open enough to hold sunglasses.
7. Continue wrapping and crocheting around the tray rows until the front rim and visible dividers are covered in yarn, keeping the stitches snug and even so the holder looks tidy.
8. At the corners, add one extra stitch or loop where needed so the yarn bends neatly without pulling the tray out of shape.
9. When the tray is covered to your liking, cut the yarn with an 8-inch tail, weave the end back through several stitches, and add a dot of clear-drying glue if you want extra hold.
10. Attach the wall-mounting strips to the back of the tray or add screws through the back corners if your tray plastic is thick enough to support them safely.
11. Mount the holder on a clean wall surface at an easy reach height, then press firmly or tighten the screws until the tray sits level and secure.
12. Slide sunglasses into the compartments with the arms folded inward, spacing them across the widened sections so each pair is easy to grab on the way outside.
Variations & Tips
For picky color tastes: If coral reef feels a little bold, try sea glass blue, sandy beige, or crisp white yarn to better match your porch or pool house.
Tray size tip: A larger tray with wider compartments works best for oversized sunglasses, while a smaller tray is perfect for kids' goggles or simple everyday shades.
Outdoor durability: If this will hang in a humid area, choose synthetic yarn rather than cotton because it dries faster and holds its shape better.
Beginner crochet shortcut: You do not need a fancy stitch pattern here; simple slip stitches or chain loops are enough to anchor the yarn and soften the look of the plastic.
Mounting option: For rental spaces, outdoor-rated adhesive strips make this easy to remove, but screws are my choice when the holder will get lots of daily use.
Family organization idea: I like assigning one row to each family member, especially in summer, because it keeps sunglasses from wandering all over the house.
Safety tip: Always sand the trimmed plastic thoroughly before adding yarn, since even a tiny rough edge can catch and fray chunky fibers.