Crafting is one of the most useful mechanics in Elden Ring, allowing players to create consumables, ammunition, and utility items directly from gathered resources. However, some players encounter an issue early in the game where the crafting menu appears greyed out and inaccessible. If you’re facing this problem, don’t worry—it’s a common issue with a simple fix.
In this guide, we’ll go over the reasons the crafting menu might be locked and how to quickly unlock it so you can take full advantage of item creation in the Lands Between.
Why the Crafting Menu Is Greyed Out
If the crafting option in your inventory is greyed out, the most likely reason is that you haven’t obtained the Crafting Kit yet. This essential item is what enables the crafting system and allows you to use any recipes you’ve unlocked through cookbooks.
Many new players miss this early on, assuming crafting is tied to leveling or story progression. In reality, the solution is just a short walk from the starting area.
Where to Get the Crafting Kit
You can purchase the Crafting Kit from Merchant Kale, found in the Church of Elleh, just north of the tutorial cave entrance in Limgrave. It costs 300 runes—easily obtainable by defeating a few nearby enemies or selling a spare item.
Once you buy it, the crafting menu will become fully accessible in your inventory. You’ll be able to create items immediately, assuming you have the right materials and recipes.
Some players who want to avoid early-game grinding choose to stock up using cheap Elden Ring runes, allowing quicker access to vendor items like the Crafting Kit.
Unlocking Recipes with Cookbooks
Having the Crafting Kit is just step one. To actually craft different items, you need Cookbooks. These are scattered across the world or sold by merchants and unlock specific sets of recipes once collected.
For example:
- Nomadic Cookbooks usually provide recipes for offensive items.
- Missionary Cookbooks focus on support and healing.
- Armorer’s Cookbooks allow for crafting greases and buffs.
Collecting cookbooks is essential for expanding your crafting capabilities. If you’re trying to round out your recipe collection quickly, you might look for Elden Ring Items for sale from trusted player markets to skip some of the hunt.
Gathering the Right Materials
Crafting also requires raw materials, which can be found throughout the game world. These include:
- Herba for healing items.
- Thin Beast Bones for arrows.
- Smoldering Butterflies for fire-based tools.
Most materials respawn after resting at a Site of Grace, so farming them is simple once you know where to look. Always keep an eye out while exploring and collect everything you can.
Seeing the crafting menu greyed out in Elden Ring is frustrating, but thankfully the solution is quick and inexpensive. By purchasing the Crafting Kit from Merchant Kale and gathering cookbooks as you progress, you’ll unlock one of the most flexible systems in the game.
Whether you’re managing limited healing items, preparing for boss fights, or building up your supplies for PvP, crafting gives you the tools to stay ready. And if you’re trying to speed up your progress, options like cheap Elden Ring runes or browsing Elden Ring Items for sale can give you a head start without hours of grinding.