Velvety Soft: Towels with Chenille

What Is Chenille?

Chenille is a material with a velvety, fluffy-soft surface. The name of both the material and the yarn of the same name comes from French and means “caterpillar” – because chenille yarn, with its short, protruding pile, resembles a caterpillar.

Special machines are needed to produce chenille yarn. Only in this way does the yarn become both robust and velvety soft. Chenille feels pleasant against the skin and is suitable for both clothing and home textiles.

Chenille can be made from different materials, for example cotton, cotton-blend fabrics or synthetic fibres. As a result, the properties of the fabrics also differ, and ultimately so do those of the finished products.

What Is Chenille Suitable For?

Chenille yarn was originally intended as embroidery yarn, allowing for special effects to be achieved. However, the voluminous yarn is also often used in curtains and is excellent for thermal curtains – because wind and cold cannot penetrate the dense pile as easily.

In the 1990s, chenille was also extremely popular in fashion, often in the form of knitted jumpers or scarves. In recent years, these garments have enjoyed something of a comeback and are especially good for keeping warm during the colder months.

Perhaps you also know chenille from cushion covers or sofa upholstery. Unlike corduroy – which, incidentally, is also fashionable again – chenille does not just show a ribbed texture, but also that fine fluff. Similar to velour – for example in our MÖVE BAMBOO LUXE collection – the fibres are flexible and soft, yet still robust.

Towels with Chenille

Chenille is eye-catching and fluffy, but in an all-over look it can sometimes feel a little “too much”. Used skilfully and finished in a modern way, however, the vintage loop effect is on trend and radiates cosiness.

The MÖVE WELLNESS and MÖVE LOFT towels are two good examples of the use of chenille, which is employed here as an accent in the form of raised bands. This creates a textural contrast to the terry loops that is visually interesting and also feels pleasantly soft against the skin. The chenille bands are made from pure cotton and are every bit as high-quality and absorbent as cotton terry towelling. Also discover the soft MÖVE WELLNESS hooded robe and the attractive sauna items kilt and sarong, which likewise impress with their appealing banded design.

The MÖVE LOFT series also includes a fluffy unisex kimono with a subtle banded border. To avoid overloading the design, the terry and the bands have deliberately been kept in the same colour. A lightweight shower mat – this time with all-over bands – complements the collection perfectly and provides a lovely contrast. Together with the towels and smaller items, this creates a harmonious and interesting overall look for the bathroom.