From the French word for caterpillar, refers to either a furry yarn used in woven textiles and embroidery. In the 18thC, chenille yarn was made from a gauze woven on a Leno loom, which was then cut into strips.
The yarn is now made by twisting very short lengths of thread between two long filaments; as the two lengths tighten up, the short ends stand on end to create the pile.
Cotton is the most commonly used fibre, along with some synthetics and is used to weave fabric for curtains and upholstery and as knitting yarn; it makes for very comfortable soft weaving and sitting.