By: Mia Angulo
Photo courtesy of Betiong
Alysa Betiong, ‘22 is a familiar face on the Redwood campus. In addition to maintaining the academic load of being a high school student, she is a member of the Redwood track team; and outside of school, a gymnastics instructor at CCGI. Despite all of these activities that keep her schedule full, she still manages to keep up her business, “Alysa’s Custom Closet.”
Betiong’s passion for crocheting began at the age of four. She grew curious about this hobby when she learned that her grandma could crochet blankets. The creative gift of the ability to crochet has flourished in her family. She wanted to find out if she had the crocheting gene for herself, as well.
“I asked her to take me to the crafting store to get some yarn. I remember I picked royal blue and a light pink yarn. Then, my mom showed me the basics of how to create a chain, and I just watched YouTube videos after that until I was able to create something. I still have my very first project; I have no idea what it is, but it’s something,” explains Betiong to how she began crocheting.
Betiong picked up her old hobby of crocheting during quarantine. At first it was just to keep herself busy but then she couldn’t stop and just wanted to keep making more. To perfect her skills, she would go to YouTube for tips.
“I looked up some videos and came across a video where a girl created a bikini top. I followed the tutorial and fell completely in love with how it looked. I loved it so much to the point where I decided to perfect the top and began selling them,” states Betiong.
This led to Betiong starting her business in June of 2020. “Alysa’s Custom’s Closet” pretty much has almost any type of clothing piece you can think of. Her inventory is full of crop tops, bikini tops, bikini bottoms, hats, sweater vests, sweaters, tank tops, stuffed animals, bags, and even steering wheel covers.
Photo courtesy of Betiong
“If I am unfamiliar with specific attire, I do my research and watch some videos on how to make it, or honestly I go based on the knowledge that I have. I don’t know how to create everything, but I am experienced enough to figure something out,” notes Betiong.
Betiong is well known on the Redwood campus for her cow print crocheted bucket hats that sold out for this year’s Cowhide game. One glance out at the crowd on game day revealed many people supporting her adorable cow-print bucket hats during the game.
“They were great. A lot of people bought them, and I enjoyed seeing everyone wear them while I was looking up at the stands at Cowhide. It was a very busy week of crocheting and adding the details to the hats, but it made me happy to see others wearing the art I created,” reminisced Betiong.
Photo courtesy of Betiong
“Honestly, I am extremely grateful that I have a little platform to reach a crowd of people. I know the work that I have put in towards my business, so it feels nice when it is recognized. My crocheted pieces are art, so when I see my art in the hands of others it brings me a lot of joy,” states Betiong.
Photo courtesy of Betiong
Crocheting in general has had a positive impact in her life. Betiong notes, “It may not seem like it from a glance, but crocheting has helped me through some rough days. Many people tell me that they would not have the patience to crochet, but I’d have to disagree with them. Crocheting has helped me see the beauty in having patience. I’ll put on ‘Gilmore Girls,’ make a cup of tea or coffee, and just sit there crocheting. It is relaxing and a great way to cool my brain down after a long day.”
You can check out and support “Alysa’s Custom Closet” on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/alysas.custom.closet/
Mia Angulo
Mia Angulo, ‘24, is in her fourth year of writing and her third year as an editor for the Redwood Gigantea. Mia is a member of the Redwood Law and Justice Academy, Hip Hop and Yoga Club. Mia is passionate about dance and writing and hopes to continue to do both in the future.
Tags: alysas custom closet, buisness, class of 2022, crochet, humans of redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers