Introduction: Tiny Glass Float Nets for Marbles and Other Spheres

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Formely used to keep fishing nets afloat, Glass floats are little more than decorative curiosities.

In this Instructable, I'll be making miniature spherical nets for tiny glass marbles. The original idea was to make a bunch of them with various sized and colored spheres with LEDs inside to use as an makeshift lamp, but due to time constraint I will simply couldn't. Nevertheless it still makes for a cool keychain

I would like to note that this specific method used here should also be applicable for larger float/botles/marbles/ball... As long as you have a lot of time and a lot of rope to spare, that is.

Supplies

  • Some speherica object(s) In this case a 30mm glass marble;
  • Some rope or string In this case a little over 1.00m of it;

Step 1: Step 1 : Form a Ring for the Base

Simply take one end of your rope, form a circle and curl it aroundsaid circle one or two more time.

This base will be the bottom center of our future glass "float".

Step 2: Step 2 : Form the Initial Star

Then take the free end of the rope to form a loop under the base circle, and capture another loop through the firstone by going over the base circle before tightening the knot (see picture for reference, trust me it's not that hard).

Repeat the same step as necesary until you cover the whole base. Be carefull to keep all loops the same size, or your final product will end up lopsided.

Step 3: Step 3 : Start the Net

At the extremity of the closest loop, attach the rope by forming yet another loop and passing the free end through, then repeat again for each loose end.

NOTE: Knot 1 is only used to start the chain a the top of the first loop instead of the base, so you want it about the same lenght as the loop itself. However, the distance between knot 1 and knot 2 to be about twice the lenght between where the number is marked and the base circle.

Step 4: Step 4 : Grow the Net

Once you reach the last loop, you'll want to attach it to the first loop -once more- to close the circle.

Only for you to go around one more time, using the same knot as before, at roughly the center of each arch as indicated by the red numbers above.

Once again try to keep each lenght as consitent as possible for the most satisfying result.

Repeat this step to keep the net growing, growing and growing, until it reach a size big enough to wrap around your choosen "Float".

Step 5: Step 5 : Wrap It Up !

Time to close your net.
Place your "Float" at the center of your net. Pull the top crown up, and tighten each opposite side one by one in a star patern as shown in the picture. Finally, secure the net with a simple over hand knot on the last side.

Step 6: Step 6 : the Loop and Some Notes

Loop the rope three time under the star and secure them with a few over hand knot at the base.


And their you have it ! A simple pocket sized glass float !

Don't hesitate to experiment with various size, net density, rope diamiter, etc...your first will probably look off (mine sure did). Happy netting and thanks you for reading all the way through.