and a head 23 wider than the stem 22 the degree of flexibility of the comb is defined by the length and form of the stem 22 a shorter fatter stem 22 producing a stiffer tooth 21 each head portion 23 has a cut out 24 forming a cavity with an adjacent tooth 21 the cavity defining the tuft retention site 14 a dimension of the cavity is suitable for firmly holding the yarn tuft and yet enabling removal of the yarn tuft by the grippers 13 easily a lip 25 extends from the top of the cavity towards the adjacent tooth 21 to help keep the tuft in position the head portion 23 is tapered towards the top so that the tooth 21 does not undergo a large deflection as the yarn tuft is loaded and the inserting device 2 is retracted this feature allows the yarn tuft insertion to be completed continuously as the yarn tuft inserting device 2 moves across the length of the yarn tuft holder 11 loading tufts therein whilst the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described with reference to a gripper axminster loom similar to that described in wo 02 00978 it will be appreciated that the yarn tuft holder of the invention is equally suitable for the loom described in wo 95 31594 where the yarn tuft holder moves relative to stationary tuft inserting devices the design of the yarn tuft holder in accordance with the invention allows continuous movement between the tuft inserting device 2 and the yarn tuft holder 11 although this movement may be intermittent alternatively the yarn tuft holder 11.