Live Knit Mob coats goats in knits; knitters wrap Chicago children in warm winter knits

NEWS ADVISORY

October 17, 2012

WHAT:		#1 New York Times bestselling author and keynote speaker for Vogue Knitting LIVE (VKL) show this weekend, Debbie Macomber teams up with World Vision’s Knit for Kids, a nationwide family of volunteer knitters who create clothing items and blankets for children in need in the U.S. and around the world. Before the show begins on Friday, October 26, Debbie Macomber, VKL, World Vision and knitters will gather to distribute sweaters, scarves and hats to young children at Alex Haley Elementary Academy on Chicago’s Southside. After the knit distribution, World Vision’s Knit for Kids and VKL will host a Live Goat Knit Mob, as Lorna’s Laces supplies custom, repurposed designs for a menagerie of local goats, who will walk the Goatwalk in a fashion show to engage local knitters to pick up their knitting needles to help children in need around the globe.
WHEN:		2 events - Thursday Oct. 25, 2012
WHERE:		Winter Knits School Distribution 9:00-10 a.m. Alex Haley Elementary Academy 11411 S Eggleston Ave Chicago, IL 60628 Map **Media Interviews Available with Debbie Macomber Live GOAT Knit Mob Fashion Show 10:00-11 a.m. Alex Haley Elementary Academy 11411 S Eggleston Ave Chicago, IL 60628 Map **Video, Photos and Partner Interviews
WHY:		The need is great. Many children around the world do not have the clothing they need for basic survival. World Vision field offices report that 900,000 children need sweaters; more than 1 million infant caps and blankets are needed to help the most vulnerable “survive to age five.” Recently named International representative for Knit for Kids, Macomber hopes to mobilize thousands of knitters to share her love of knitting and her commitment to the poor. “These days there’s so much focus on doing activities to keep the mind active,” says Macomber. “But I believe we need to keep our hearts active. Knitting keeps the heart active.” World Vision distributes knitted clothing and blankets to children in more than 11 countries and the U.S. as well as for disaster responses like Hurricane Katrina in 2005
WHO:		This winter knits distribution is a partnership of World Vision’s Knit for Kids, Vogue Knitting LIVE and Debbie Macomber. The Live Goat Knit Mob Fashion Show is brought to you by World Vision’s Knit for Kids, Vogue Knitting Live and Lorna’s Laces.

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About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve the world's poor — regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information on their efforts, visit WorldVision.org/press or follow them on Twitter at @WorldVisionNews

About Debbie Macomber:
Debbie Macomber is one of the world’s most popular writers with over 160 million copies of her books in print around the world, including the upcoming novel, ANGELS AT THE TABLE (A Ballantine hardcover, on sale October 23^rd) as well as the Blossom Street series that centers around a fictional knitting shop in Seattle.

About Vogue Knitting Live:

Vogue Knitting magazine, which in 2012 celebrated the 30th anniversary of the current Vogue Knitting and the 80th anniversary of the original Vogue Knitting Book, is the fashion leader in the hand-knitting industry. Vogue Knitting publishes six fashion-filled issues per year and is the brand that consumers turn to for inspirational patterns, chic styling, and compelling techniques. The editors of Vogue Knitting launched Vogue Knitting LIVE in 2011, bringing together thousands of knitting enthusiasts for a weekend show filled with fashion, fiber and education. Vogue Knitting LIVE features master-level hand-knitting classes, a high-end shopping experience, knit-couture fashion shows, knit art gallery and more to engage and inspire every knitter. Visit www.vogueknittinglive.com for more information. Vogue Knitting LIVE—the ultimate knitting event, held on October 26–28, 2012, at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel—will bring together as many as 6,000 knitting enthusiasts for a weekend show filled with fashion, fiber and education. Vogue Knitting LIVE features master-level hand-knitting classes a high-end shopping experience, knit-couture fashion shows, a knit-art gallery and more to engage and inspire every knitter.