Tufting usually is accomplished by inserting reciprocating needles threaded with yarn through the primary backing to form tufts or loops of yarn. Loopers or hooks, typically working in timed relationship with the needles, are located such that the loopers are positioned just above the needle eye when the needles are at an extreme point in their stroke through the backing fabric. When the needles reach that point, yarn is picked up from the needles by the loopers and held briefly. Loops or tufts of yarn result from the passage of the needles back through the primary backing. This process typically is repeated as the loops move away from the loopers due to advancement of the backing through the needling apparatus.