A clip is removably mounted adjacent a hook on the hook bar of a tufting machine. When a modular hook arrangement is provided which can be secured to the hook bar, the clip is removaly mounted in the module. In use the clip is biased into engagement with the hook by its inherent resilience, and control of yarn tension in the machine allows yarn loops to be retained in the hook for cutting or to be released by overcoming the resilience of the clip, whereby cut or loop pile can be formed. IPC D05C.