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Rayon Chenille is a fabric made from wood pulp, a semi-synthetic fiber derived from natural cellulose. It works well in structures that tie the rayon into the structure at regular intervals. It does not work very well when long floats are part of the patterning.
I would not suggest using rayon chenille in overshot weaving as the pattern weft, although it can be quite effective as the tabby weft in overshot, creating a wonderful texture in the ground fabric.
Visually, the rayon will have a sheen and the cotton will be dull. More likely than not, the rayon chenille will be flat and the cotton a rounder yarn.
If those clues fail, break off a piece of each and submerge in water…the rayon will kink and shrink immediately…the cotton will absorb the water more slowly.
The answer to this question depends entirely on how the scarves were woven. If properly sett and beat, there is no reason to avoid washing rayon chenille items. Fringes must be finished by plying, braiding or some other finish to secure the chenille pile. If the scarves were wet finished by fully immersing them in water and drying in the dryer or on the line, recipients can do the same. Dry cleaning is a last resort for those who are afraid of somehow damaging the chenille, or for those who wove at less than desirable setts or structures.
Rayon chenille works extremely well for warp and weft, although the finished item will have a heavier hand and feel than one woven with rayon as weft or warp only. If using it for both warp and weft, care must be taken to utilize proper sett and beat so the chenille will not worm when wet finished. A standard starting point would be using 1450 ypp chenille in a plain weave sett at 16 epi and beat from 14-16 ppi.
Please check out my book UNDERSTANDING RAYON CHENILLE for more information.
Rayon chenille works well in structures that tie the rayon into the structure at regular intervals. It does not work very well when long floats are part of the patterning. I would not suggest using rayon chenille in overshot weaving as the pattern weft, although it can be quite effective as the tabby weft in overshot, creating a wonderful texture in the ground fabric
For tied weaves (like weft-faced tapestry or rugs), you need strong, inelastic yarns that hold shape and can handle dense packing (beating), with 8/2 cotton, wool, and linen being top choices; cotton is versatile and absorbent, wool provides warmth and resilience, while linen offers crispness, but for beginners, strong cottons like 8/2 are excellent for their reliability and texture, though silk noil (Sero) adds softness for garments.