Numbers of local wool shops have dwindled from what they once were and have been pushed out of many major town centres by huge rents and a fall in interest. If you do have a local wool shop (and I mean a real one – not like Aldi or Wilkinson who sell insipid baby blues and pinks) then I would say your first stop should be there. Most of the owners are enthusiastic and helpful folk who would love to point learner knitters in the right direction, suggest a yarn or a pattern and they might even host a knitting evening you could get involved with.
Ravelry will help you locate your local wool shop. You’ll need to be a member but it’s free and a great source of information, patterns and knitters! www.ravelry.com (come and find me on there! My user name is Chellis!)
For those of us with more computer time then I would recommend the two following:
Northern Yarn – for great, local and natural yarns then the lovely Kate at Northern Yarns will see you right. www.northernyarn.co.uk/
Deramores – super fast, super helpful and a good clearance section. They have all the major players in the yarn brand stakes as well as needles, patterns and regular knit-alongs. www.deramores.com
Black Sheep Wools – amazingly good prices – a lot of discontinued stuff which is fine if you’re not looking for something in particular.. www.blacksheepwools.com