Abstract: A knitted base fabric comprises stitches which are arranged in courses and are formed each by a stitch-forming base yarn. A plurality of tufts are held on the base fabric by at least part of said stitches. Each of said stitches of at least one of said courses contains at least one filling yarn, which is held by said stitch and has an extensibility which is, at most, equal to the extensibility of the base yarn which forms said stitch. The total thread thickness of the filling yarns which are held by any one of said stitches exceeds a value which is slightly below the total thread thickness of the base yarn forming said stitch. Said filling yarns stabilize the fabric virtually in a predetermined useful width.