How is velvet carpeting made with wire strips?

In the context of floor covering, the term "velvet" refers to a cut-pile, single-frame carpet that is essentially a simplified version of a Wilton-type construction.1

To create pile in traditional carpets like Wilton and Brussels, yarn is looped over metal wires that are inserted mechanically across the width of the loom, beneath the decorative pile yarns. The specific outcome depends on the type of wire used:2

• Brussels carpet: Uses round wires that are withdrawn to leave the pile loops uncut.12
• Wilton carpet: Uses bladed wires that cut the pile as they are withdrawn.12

While velvet carpets are often produced as single-frame, plain carpets, they share the fundamental weaving principles of the Wilton loom. It is important to note that modern high-volume production often utilizes the "face-to-face" principle, where two carpets are woven simultaneously, one above the other, and then separated by a reciprocating blade, rather than relying solely on individual wire insertion.1