Bracelets in tatting technique by Aggie Agy (Latvia-Irland)

Tatting is a technique for making durable lace constructed by a series of knots and loops. The lace is formed by a pattern of rings and chains formed from a series of cow hitch, or half-hitch knots, called double stitches, over a core thread. Gaps can be left between the stitches to form picots, which are used for practical construction as well as decorative effect.

Picture from http://agyaggie.blogspot.nl/

The history and origin of tatting is still mystery, but still we can find some infromation on  wikipedia. Some believe that tatting may have developed from netting and decorative rope work as sailors and fishers would put together motifs for girlfriends and wives at home. Decorative ropework employed on ships includes techniques that show striking similarity with tatting.

Some believe tatting originated over 200 years ago, often citing shuttles seen in eighteenth century paintings of women such as Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Madame Adelaide (daughter of Louis XV of France), and Anne, Countess of Albemarle. A close inspection of those paintings shows that the shuttles in question are too large to be tatting shuttles, and that they are actually knotting shuttles.

Anne, Countess of Albemarle, picture of Joshua Reynolds

All of the available evidence shows that tatting originated in the early 19th century. As most fashion magazines and home economics magazines from the first half of the 20th century attest, tatting had a substantial following. When fashion included feminine touches such as lace collars and cuffs, and inexpensive yet nice baby shower gifts were needed, this creative art flourished. As the fashion moved to a more modern look and technology made lace an easy and inexpensive commodity to purchase, hand-made lace began to decline.

From http://somethingunderthebed.com