Two separate looms are used to make chenille carpet. The first weaves the "fur," long caterpillarlike strands which form the pile. (The word "chenille" is French for caterpillar. )
The second weaves the backing, incorporating the fur securely at the same time. The pattern is set during the first process, by the arrangement of the colored yarns which are stretched parallel, fastened at certain intervals with strong cross threads and then cut into strips.
Any number of colors may be used, and, because there is less differentiation in cost between large and small yardages than in any other weave, it is much used for special orders.