A yarn tuft holder (11) for holding yarn tufts received from one or more yarn tuft inserting devices (2) prior to removal by grippers (13) of a carpet manufacturing machine, comprising a resiliently deformable comb portion (17) for receiving and holding yarn tufts and a rigid comb portion (16) disposed adjacent the resiliently deformable comb portion and for guiding grippers configured to remove yarn tufts held by the resiliently deformable comb portion. Also, a loom for making carpet, comprising one or more of the yarn tuft holders, and a method for making carpet using the loom.