My mother and paternal grandmother used to make those. I personally could never stand to crochet - the longer I did it the tenser I became. But my grandmother taught me all those arts that not many folks do these days. Needlepoint, cross stitch, tatting, drawn work. Oddly, my maternal grandmother was the only one that quilted and I never learned from her. Just started on my own about three years ago - taking a class at the LQS.
Your doily is beautiful. I can admire the work without wanting to do it. :) I think I still have one or two around somewhere. I keep thinking I should frame them.