As the Cortez Quilt Co. nears its five-year anniversary over the summer, the company has added yarn to its inventory.

“We’re very excited to offer it,” owner Karen Childress said. “The response has been overwhelming.”

The business started out as strictly a quilting shop, Childress said. But about two years ago the store started selling sewing machines. Now, they’ve expanded into fibers.

There have been several yarn shops in Montezuma County in the past, but they’ve closed, Childress said. People come in to the Cortez Quilt Shop to ask for yarn, so there’s demand, she added.

“We’re trying to give what people want and need,” she said.

The store is offering many different types of yarn blends, including wool, alpaca, cotton, cashmere, silk and bamboo, said worker Anne Worthington. The store is hoping to add wool yarn from local producers soon, she said. The store also is offering knitting notions and crochet hooks.

Shop staffers also are offering a range of classes for quilters and knitters of all skill levels, Childress said.

“People like to learn,” Worthington said. “With more learning opportunities, they will branch out.”

To find out more information, go to www.cortezquiltcompany.com.