BEVERLY — A heartfelt gift from a South Side knit shop is making waves with Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams — and inspiring fans across the city.
Miss Purl, a cozy yarn store in Beverly, is gaining attention after its founder and longtime Bears fan Kamaca Champion revealed her season-long community knitting project ended up wrapped around the neck of the team’s newest star.
Kamaca Champion, who launched Miss Purl in 2021 at 1824 W. 95th St., has long combined her passion for football with her love for knitting. For the past three years, her shop has served as a gathering place for local knitters to connect during Sunday Bears games — yarn in one hand, snacks and camaraderie in the other.
This past season, Champion and her fellow fans embarked on a new mission: knit a handmade, football-inspired scarf that chronicles the 18-week season in bright blue and orange hues.
“That scarf shows wins and losses, but together, it’s just one beautiful pattern,” Champion said. “Caleb can know that there were people sitting with him for entire games … rooting for you in a tangible way.”
A Scarf Woven With Love And Loyalty
The scarf Champion and her community created was anything but ordinary. Measuring 62 inches long, the scarf is segmented into 3.5-inch sections, each representing a week of the Bears’ season. The color combinations indicate whether the team won or lost — at home or away — transforming the scarf into a visual timeline of team highs and lows.
Champion, who describes herself as a Bears fan “through and through,” said the idea was inspired by European football scarves that use bold, blocky designs to represent team spirit.
She opened the invitation for others to join — and the response was overwhelming. While most chose to create Bears-themed scarves, there were a few fans of the Ravens, Eagles, and even the Packers who joined the knitting fun with customized colors.
“To me, a scarf represents a hug,” Champion said. “It’s something that you can wrap around your neck. It’s a source of comfort and a source of pride.”
The Gift Reaches Caleb Williams — Thanks To A Local Connection
Champion never imagined her scarf would actually reach the quarterback — until a stroke of fate brought everything together.
Williams, who was drafted No. 1 overall by the Bears in the 2024 NFL Draft after a Heisman-winning college career at USC, was visiting Whitney Young High School to speak to students after their football team clinched the 2024 city championship.
Champion’s son Aaron, who had been mentored through the Caleb Cares Foundation, was selected by the school to interview the quarterback during the visit.
That’s when Champion saw her chance.
She urged Aaron to present the scarf to Williams during their conversation — and he did. Moments later, a friend sent her a photo showing Williams wearing the scarf during the school visit.
“I was running around the house, running up to my husband, shaking the phone in his face like, ‘Oh my God, that’s the scarf. Caleb is wearing the scarf,’” Champion said.
A Personal Message From The QB
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The story didn’t end there. Champion received a video message directly from Williams thanking her for the gift:
“I just got your gift. I love it,” Williams said in the clip. “It’s pretty fire. I’m wearing it.”
He even shared that he learned how to knit in high school for two years, making the scarf all the more meaningful.
Champion said she’s still “screaming” about the moment — not just as a football fan, but as a community leader. The scarf is now a symbol of encouragement and support that she hopes Williams carries with him into his rookie year.
“We don’t have a strong arm like Caleb,” she said, “but we all have something that we have to do that people are depending on us to do. And when we keep showing up, we end up with something bigger than we are.”
What’s Next For Miss Purl?
Champion is already planning next season’s project — hoping to inspire even more fans, neighbors, and knitters to join the movement.
Miss Purl remains a safe haven for creative expression and community building — and now, its signature Bears scarf is officially rookie-approved.
Want to visit Miss Purl or join a community knit session during the 2025 Bears season?
Drop by 1824 W. 95th St. in Beverly, or follow them online to stay updated on their next creative team challenge.
