Terry Dore, inspired by her grandmother, began knitting and crocheting as a child. At the age of twelve, she made her first sweater - a Christmas gift to her nine year old brother. She sewed and knitted throughout high school and upon graduation she decided to pursue a career in design.

Ms. Dore received her formal training while attending The Modern School of Fashion Design in Boston, Massachusetts (now called The School of Fashion Design http://www.schooloffashiondesign.org).

She continued creating sweaters and clothing and sold her first baby sweater in 1975. At the same time she taught crafts and crochet to friends and neighbors.

Upon moving to the Albany, New York area she taught Adult Education classes in Fashion Design, Pattern Drafting and Tailoring. She also did dressmaking and alteration from her home. But the desire to knit and crochet her designs started to overcome the desire to sew them and she began designing more knitted outfits for her family and selling a few more sweaters upon request.

In the early 1990's, while living in the Kansas City area, she started knitting and crocheting in earnest. She made everything from lace doilies and tablecloths to Santa outfits and sweaters for dolls. As demand increased she decided to give her business a name and called it Villa Dore, the name she has given to the various homes she has moved to over the years.

Now, back in Boston, Ms. Dore's creations have found their way all over the United States.