The best replacement for felting is fulling.

The best alternatives to felting are rated as following:
★★★★★  fulling
★★★★  needle felting
★  roving wool

Your alternative for felting is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about felting, one probably shouldn't forget about wool.

Other search terms related to felting and their ratings are:
★★★★★ wool
★ roving
You have in mind a companion for felting and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

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felting
fulling
needle felting