#1 New York Times Bestselling Author Wraps Kids in Warm Knits, Partners with World Vision's Knit for Kids and Vogue Knitting LIVE in Chicago

CHICAGO, Oct. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

• Vogue Knitting LIVE Chicago Announces Debbie Macomber  as Keynote Speaker, World Vision's Knit for Kids as Charity of Choice    
• World Vision's Knit for  Kids Program  Names Debbie Macomber International Spokesperson
• Debbie Puts 300 Warm Sweaters, Hats and Scarves On Children at World Vision's Partner School in Chicago's Southside

With more than 160 million copies of her books in print, author Debbie Macomber sees knitting as much more than a hobby, but as a way to give back. This is part of the motivation behind Macomber's recent partnerships with Vogue Knitting LIVE and World Vision's Knit for Kids Program. Ahead of the October 26-28 Vogue Knitting LIVE show in Chicago, where Macomber delivers the keynote speech to knitters from around the country, she made a visit to a low-income school where World Vision partners in Southside Chicago. Take a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc8vCK31Kog  

As knitters around the country gather in Chicago to learn from the experts, try the latest yarns and knitting gadgets, share the creativity of their fellow knitters, Debbie Macomber hopes to inspire them to look at ways they can make a difference with their knitting needles, wrapping children around the globe in warmth and hope with hand knitted sweaters, caps, blankets and more through the World Vision Knit for Kids program.

World Vision's Knit for Kids is a nationwide family of volunteer knitters who create clothing items and blankets for children in need around the world. In Chicago and many places World Vision works globally, children do not have the clothing they need. 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."  World Vision distributes knitted clothing and blankets to children in more than 11 countries and the U.S. as well as during disaster response such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

"We are very troubled by the trends we are seeing nationwide," says Romanita Hairston, World Vision's vice president for the charity's U.S. programs.  "As the U.S. economy continues to sputter, children in poverty will pay the price. If parents are struggling to pay their bills, that means basics such as warm clothing items are a luxury many families simply cannot afford."

Vogue Knitting LIVE is doing their part. Naming World Vision Charity of Choice for the Chicago show, Vogue Knitting LIVE called on its own knitting community to knit and donate hats, scarves and sweaters that were distributed by Macomber and team ahead of the October 26 show at the Palmer House in Chicago.

The first of its kind in the Midwest, Vogue Knitting LIVE brings Vogue Knitting magazine to life with knit-couture fashion shows, a Marketplace featuring thousands of new products, more than 200 inspirational master-level technique and design classes for novices through experts, and more. 

"Debbie Macomber is such a large presence in our industry and we are thrilled that she and World Vision's Knit for Kids have partnered with Vogue Knitting LIVE," says Vogue Knitting Editor in Chief Trisha Malcolm. "Our attendees love using their knitting to give back to those in need and we look forward to seeing how many hand-knit caps and scarves are collected during Vogue Knitting LIVE Chicago." 

For the past three years, Macomber has led her own national knitting charity initiative, encouraging others to donate handmade sweaters, hats or blankets to those in need. When World Vision approached her about becoming their international spokesperson for Knit for Kids, she was thrilled with the opportunity to expand the effort to reach more children.

"I am delighted that Random House has joined me in support of this wonderful non-profit organization, which benefits children here in the United States as well as around the world," said Macomber. "Now all of us are coming together at one of the country's premier shows, Vogue Knitting LIVE, to share our commitment to helping needy children with thousands of avid knitters. Right there at the show, we'll be knitting for children. Knitters really do have big hearts, and they love to help children."

Macomber's newest novel, Angels at the Table, was published as a Ballantine Hardcover on October 23, 2012. A joyful story set on New Year's Eve in New York City featuring fan-favorite angels Shirley, Goodness and Mercy along with apprentice angel, Will, ANGELS AT THE TABLE has all the elements of the perfect holiday novel – family, hope, delicious food, renewal and most importantly, a love story.

About Debbie Macomber:
With more than 160 million copies of her books in print and published in 23 languages, Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today's most popular writers.  In addition to her bestselling novels, "Debbie's world" includes children's books, cookbooks, knitting pattern booklets, inspirational books, a devotional, top-rated Hallmark Channel movies, her own yarn store in Port Orchard, Wash, and her own yarn line with Universal Yarn. She and her husband, Wayne, serve on the Guideposts National Advisory Board. When not writing, Debbie enjoys knitting and putting on Grandma Camps for her nine grandchildren. www.DebbieMacomber.com www.facebook.com/debbie.macomber

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.

About Random House Publishing:
Ballantine Books is an imprint of The Random House Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., the world's largest trade-book publisher, whose parent company is Bertelsmann AG. Visit http://www.randomhouse.com  for more information.

About World Vision
World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. World Vision serves the world's poor regardless of a person's religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information please visit www.worldvision.org/press. Or follow them on Twitter at @worldvisionnews.

SOURCE World Vision