seized by the hook may be cut to form cut pile a backing material 22 is fed through the tufting machine by roller means 24 26 the backing material being fed over needle plate fingers 28 carried by a needle plate 30 supported on an adjustable bed plate 32 mounted in the head for carrying needles for selective cooperation with the respective hook 18 as hereinafter described is a multiplicity of needle carriages 34 as best seen in fig2 and 4 each carriage 34 comprises a pair of rigid rectangular sheets 36 38 separated by spacers 40 42 44 to define elongated slots 46 48 therebetween each slot being intended slidably to receive a respective needle holder 50 52 therein the elements 36 38 40 42 44 being riveted spot welded or otherwise secured together the carriages 34 are arranged in vertical disposition in the plane thereof in fixed guide rails 54 56 having respective grooves 58 60 formed therein within which each carriage may slide the guides 54 56 are provided for engagement by the upper and lower edges of the carriages 34 at each end thereof the rigid sheets 36 38 being sized for engagement with the guides while the outer spacers 40 44 are extended for receipt within the grooves 58 60 respectively preferably there are a pair of needle holders 50 52 slidably mounted in each of the.