A tool for picking up and positioning an item (1290, 1490) having fibers, the tool comprising: a tool head (1130, 1230) having an engaging surface that is adapted to contact a pliable item (1290, 1490) to be picked up and positioned, the engaging surface having at least a first configuration and a second configuration; a contact surface (1120, 1220) on the engaging surface of the tool head (1130, 1230); at least two non-contiguous hook portions (1110, 1210) on the engaging surface of the tool head (1130, 1230), wherein the contact surface extends between the at least two non-continuous hook portions (1110, 1210); each of the non-contiguous hook portions (1110, 1210) having a plurality of semi-rigid hooks (1111, 1211) oriented to contact and engage at least a portion of a pliable item (1290, 1490) with at least some of the hooks (1111, 1211) extending beyond the contact surface when the engaging surface is in at least the first configuration; an actuator that actuates from the first configuration to a second configuration by moving the at least two non-contiguous hook portions (1110, 1210) between the first configuration and the second configuration and not moving the contact surface, the second configuration preventing all of the semi-rigid hooks (1111, 1211) of the hook portions (1110, 1210) from contacting the pliable item (1290, 1490) by allowing the contact surface to extend closer to the pliable item (1290, 1490) than the hooks (1111, 1211); a positioning system that moves the tool head (1130, 1230) from at least a first location to pick up the pliable item (1290, 1490) and a second location to place the pliable item (1290, 1490). a tool head (1130, 1230) having an engaging surface that is adapted to contact a pliable item (1290, 1490) to be picked up and positioned, the engaging surface having at least a first configuration and a second configuration; a contact surface (1120, 1220) on the engaging surface of the tool head (1130, 1230); at least two non-contiguous hook portions (1110, 1210) on the engaging surface of the tool head (1130, 1230), wherein the contact surface extends between the at least two non-continuous hook portions (1110, 1210); each of the non-contiguous hook portions (1110, 1210) having a plurality of semi-rigid hooks (1111, 1211) oriented to contact and engage at least a portion of a pliable item (1290, 1490) with at least some of the hooks (1111, 1211) extending beyond the contact surface when the engaging surface is in at least the first configuration; an actuator that actuates from the first configuration to a second configuration by moving the at least two non-contiguous hook portions (1110, 1210) between the first configuration and the second configuration and not moving the contact surface, the second configuration preventing all of the semi-rigid hooks (1111, 1211) of the hook portions (1110, 1210) from contacting the pliable item (1290, 1490) by allowing the contact surface to extend closer to the pliable item (1290, 1490) than the hooks (1111, 1211); a positioning system that moves the tool head (1130, 1230) from at least a first location to pick up the pliable item (1290, 1490) and a second location to place the pliable item (1290, 1490).